Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-12-01
INDUSTRIAL TRAINING.

I.elelIlDB again 10 Jne proposed lntr0-
duction of trade instruction into the public
schools. and the proposition of the Oak.
land Times to cut off all studies in
such schools except "writing, reading,
spelling and the mathematical pro.
cesses," we are willing to admit
that there are some studies, I'm.
doubtedly, that may be dispensed with,
but the idea of cutting off all but those the
Times names seems to us to be destructive
of the scheme of the free school syg.
TEN, and to go far toward intens-
flying class distinctions. We protest
against saying that for the poor mans
child to read, write and cipher is suffi-
Gent. We insist that his children shall
have full opportunity to develop the gifts
nature has given them to the extent of
knowledge of the ordinary laws of natu.
raj philosophy, physiology, grammar, gov.
eminent and mathematics, so far as they
can go in four years. course in the gram
mar schools. To this end we would favor
the introduction of industrial drawing at
the expense OF some other study that NAV
be agreed upon as ron.essential, because
that study is in the nature of recreation,
and because it is of value to every man
and woman OF whatever vocation in life.
Natural philosophy will give a fair knowl.
edge of the elementary mechanical princi-
pies, and that underlying structure which
is the base of all scientific progress of the
day, and on which rest the varied
agencies Of man which the child sees about
him, and should have some correct knowl-
edge concerning.
Bat the idea of adding special trades to
the school system of study ia absurd.
The reformers cannot hope to have
the common schools turn out blacksmiths,
carpenters, plumbers, cabinetmakers and
other handicraftsmen. But if we are
to have the trades taught where shall we
stop! 1t must be sufficient to give pupils
good idea OF the underlying principles of
mechanics, and these they acquire in phi
losophy and mathematics. Beyond that it
will never do to go.
Labor-saving machines 30 largely enteri into
all construction in these days, that there
are very few crafts that demand complete
workman-specialists are about all that
are called for. Machinery needs men to
guide it, and for very little more are crafts
men useful. They learn how to operate one
machine, perhaps, and beyond that there
is small need for the workman possessed of
all the dexterity that enables him to do all
the machine could. In molding, engrsv-
ing, plating, uphoister;ng, binding, and
few other trades, the man is still in de-
mand who can do all the work of his trade.
But in the majority of cases there is small
opportunity for the lad to learn a trade
ne must be content to be special
ist in one branch. But aside from
these considerations, we have lit.
tie faith in theoretical mechanical
teaching. Whatever is done in that way
in school, is at the expense of time that
should be devoted to teaching principles
that will be Of benefit to the boy or the
girl in actual work in any trade in life.
While technical schools are of much useful
ness, and in Europe, and to some extent in
this country, are established with success
and are doing much good, they should not
be related to the common.school system
Some months ago we described free
school supported by charity, that is under
the direction of Felix Adler in New York,
where the pupils are taught to handle COM
mon tools, to construct ordinary things,
and to work up ordinary materials, in
order to fit them for apprenticeship, but
not as skilled workmen.
The Times is wrong when it says the
State is already called upon to do too
much for children, but it is right-hesded
when it protests against the scheme to turn
out ready-made mechanics from the
schools. The State has not done too much,
because she now simply enables the poor
mans child to enter life's battles with
some equality as to knowledge with the
child Of the rich man, who can secure the
and educational development
whether public schools exist or not.
But the State will do too much if
it attempts to add special trade studies
to the school system. twill cripple what
it now has. 1t will overweight the com.
mon schools. 1t will not give the trades
good workmen. It will vastly increase the
expense of the school system. l. will |
make class distinctions more marked, when |
the effort should be to eliminate them. |
The San Francisco Bulletin is correct
when it says on this subject, that every en-
,oursgement should be given to the endow-
nent of schools of technology, but that
they should have nc relation to a.