Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-03-18
OUR YOUNG MEN AND LOCAL INDUSTRY
TECHNOLOGY, &C.
For the SPECTATOR.


MUG has been said about the wants of
our State. All are agreed that something
should be done to more fully develop our
ample resources and improve our local ad-
vantages. For some years, the prevailing
idea has been to invite immigration and con-
siderable appropriations have been expended
to bring population, but with poor success.
Meanwhile, annually large numbers of en-
ergetic men, of moderate means, are leav-
ing the State to improve their condition
elsewhere. These young Virginians, &C
qualnted with our resources OF every kind
and acquainted with our modes and Ian
guage, are worth more than the stranger
who has everything to learn. Would it
not be much better to direct our efforts to
devise the ways and means to retain
those we have erather than let them 20
and seek those we know not? What our
young men want is profitable and suitable
employment. What have we for them to
do? We enquire into the large manufac-
turing establishments of our cities and we
find them chiefly managed from abroad
chiefly from Great Britain. Look at the
railways, and you find them superintended
by people from abroad. So with the civil
engineers, &c. All these receive fine sala-
ries. We find TO fault with these. We
are glad to get them. Why have not our
boys been fitted for these places? We still
have need for skilled and learned men in
the further prosecution of the great
schemes which only await skill and capital.
Our young men would gladly qualify
themselves for such situations, but they are
too poor to 60 to the great schools of Tech
nology in Massachusetts and other North
ern States. In fact, but few of them know
anything about those schools and their
gaeat advantages.
In short, a school of Technology is for
instruction in the Arts, Sciences, and Me-
chanics. The latter is a practical appendage
to the school of Arts and Sciences. The
last two are already provided, at the Uni
versities and best colleges of the State, for
the most part. The young men who now
attend these schools come away without a
practical application of theories they have
studied, and hence are not qualified to take
charge of the Mechanic Arts In their appli-
cation. Hence they seek what proves to
some a miserable existence in what are
called the learned professions. anxiously
waiting for something to turn up in their
favor. But the young man who graduates
at school of Technology, say at Worcester
or Boston, is Immediately wanted, with 8
good salary, at the head of a manufactur-
ing enterprise, as a Chemist, Craftsmen,
Civil Engineer, Superintendent of Machine
Shops, Architect, Master Workmen, &c
ready to do anything in iron. wood, &c.
Their exercise in the machine shops in con-
junction with the College enables the stu
dent to turn his hand to any skilled bust
ness.
These are the kind of men we now want
in Virginia. They not only do valuable
work themselves, but cut out work for
thousands of laborers. With our young
men educated for business, there would not
be so much difficulty in securing the neces-
sary capital to start new enterprises. There
would be more confidence and disposition
to aid. At present, we are dependent ON
strangers, who are not employed at home
for reasons not known to us. Can we quail
ify our young men for these important and
profitable positions and retain them with
us? Let us see what is needed in addition
to what we already have in full operation
at our State Institutions At the Worces-
ter school, which IS probably the oldest and
best of its kind, they have ten Professors
teaching Chemistry, Theoretical and APP
Piled Mathematics, Drawing, Higher Math-
ematics and Civil Engineering, Physics,
Modern Languages, Junior Mathematics,
Superintendent of Machine Shops, and In
structor in Field Works.
Now, We have all thisltaught at our State
University substantially, except the shop
work, which must be added to make our boys
business men, who can afford to stay in their
native State and build her up. Then, one
teacher, the shop and equipments are need
ed. The money, which has been expended
without success to induce foreign immigra-
ton, would have amply supplied this great
need. Not only SO, the scheme of appro-
priatins more money to bring immigration
will be pressed from session to session of
the Legislature, and passed with probably
the same result, leaving our own dear boys
to seek homes in the West. 1t is proposed
to discuss the subject of immigration at
the State Farmers meeting in April. Let
this defunct measure rest and try to in
duce our people to qualify themselves to
man the enterprises we want pushed. Then
immigration will come, when there is work
suited to their capacity. They do not now
see it, hence they do not come. Raise our
own materials. Begin at the right place,
and then success and prosperity will flow
like river. PROGRESS.
To be Continued