The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-07-19
INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION.


That our public school system is nearly
perfect, there is but little dispute. There
the rudements of an education
are taught, and the young man or young
woman graduating therefrom goes forth
with thribble the education that their
fathers and mothers had, As far as
book learning" is concerned, our schools
answer every purpose; but the question
in minds of thinking men. Is that
enOugh'
Every day the answer of this question
is brought home to us in the negative. 1t
is not enough. Something more is de-
manded, When the young man comes
from the school, fresh with his knowl-.
edge, he is apt to have too high an opin-
ion OF himself He puts great stress on
the fact that he is a graduate; that his
head is filled with school knowledge; that
the world stands ready to shower upon
him its wealth; that all he has to do is to
go forth and conquer, for is he not a
graduate Well, suppose he is gradu-
ate. Suppose his head is filled with book
learning as an old fashioned, homely
term expresses it. That does not fit him
for the world He comes from the
school room puny, his mind high strung
and his body unable to stand much exer-
ton. He is as ignorant of the world as
babe. He knows nothing of its strug-
giles and strifes; he knows nothing of the
ups and downs, aud the overs and
throughs. When he goes forth to seek EN-
ployment, he does not ind the doors
of business houses thrown open
to him. Business men look upon
him as school boy aud treat
him as such. aud if they desire his
services pay him rs a school boy If the
he will hold up his hands in holy hor-
ror. He become mechanic? Gracious
Didn't his parents educate him so he
could earn his living without hard work?
Wasn't he educated for bank clerk, a
dry goods clerk, or for some such position
where nothing heavier than pen or a
yard stick was to be handled2 This is
not the poor fellows fault. 1t has been
taught him by his parents, who. no doubt
were forced to work hard in their younger
days, and wanted to see their children
have an easier life. Fatal mistakei 1t s
time for parents to understand that there
are too many clerks, too many school
teachers, too many doctors, too many
lawyers, too many preachers. too many Of
all kinds of men who want to earn an
honest living in an easy and genteel mau-
ner. 1t is all very well to be clerk and
measure off calico and silks if the pay is
big enoug h; it would be nice to be Il
teacher if the pay was adequate; it is nice
to he doctor, lawyer, preacher, if
the salary would support one. But pa
rents should understand that the supply of
that kind of labor is far beyond the de
mand, Many doctors are waiting, half
starving, for patients; many lawyers are
waiting for clients; many teachers are
working for S25 to $40 per month; many
clerks are working for IS, 81 and $40 per
week These classes of trades are over
crowded. They are filled, and there is
room for no more.
But there is one class of professions
that is not filled The great army of
workers still wants recruits. Mechanics
are needed, men with trades are wanted
on all sides There is demand for stone
masons, marble cutters brick masans,
harness makers shoe makers, engineers,
boiler makers, and all such men as that.
They are paid good wages. They receive
from 81, So, 81, SIS, Sc and $40 per day.
Good men of that class always will be in
demand. They can always find work,
and their wages are such that a home and
family can be supported in comfort 1t i:
from that great army of workers that ouI
successful business men come. They
all have trades, and are independent.
The time is coming when parents will
recognize this great fact, That to tesch
a child that all that is necessary to get
along in this world is to have school ed
ucation is wrong. School education is not
all child needs. He wants Industrial Ed
ucation. He wants to be taught 10 work
and to feel that it is no disgrace, but an
honor, to earn his living by the sweat Of
his brow: Teach them trades Any kline
of trade. so it is trade. All trades art
good. Give them finished education
you can afford it. but also see that the,
learn trade.