Wichita eagle., 1889-03-20
TRADE SCHOOLS.


The establishment of trade schools in
the larger cities of the country for the
instruction of young men in the various
mechanical pursuits is doubtless only a
question of time. Such schools have
been in operation in New York City for
number Of years, and it is expected
that during the present year similar
schools will be opened in Philadelphia
and Boston. The incentive to the estab-
lishment of such schools is the decay of
the apprenticeship system in this coun-
try, with the result that comparatively
few Americans are now employed in the
skilled branches of mechanical indus
tries. The restrictions that have been
imposed upon the apprentice system al
low but very limited opportunities to the
youth of this country to learn trades,
and as a consequence the value OF me-
chanical labor must be constantly re-
cruited from abroad at least to supply
the highest requirements of such labor.
1t is fact that American boys gen.
orally are not partial to mechanical
pursuits. The average youth of native
birth, under the influence of a mistaken
pride, or by reason of the fallacious
notions of parents, prefers employment
that will not require him to wear over
alls or soil his hands, even though such
employment exacts longer hours of work
and is less remuneratlve than that of the
skilled mechanic. But there are large
numbers of boys and young men who
would willingly learn trades if they
could get the opportunity, and it is for
the benefit of such that the trade school
opens its doors. The trade school is not
peculiar to this country. France owes
much of her wealth to her industrial
schools. Germany has wrested con-
siderable portion of the American trade
from England by her trades schools, and
the London guilds are now expanding
their accumulated wealth in the estab-
lishment Of similar schools throughout
England. The foreign trade schools are
of two kinds, those where trade is
learned during the four or five years
required to obtain a good education,
and schools where young men en-
ployed in shops can learn what the
workshop does not teach. From a
recent address by Col. r. T. Auchmuty,
of New York, the founder of the trade
schools in that city, the information is
obtained that the results have been
highly satisfactory. Young men at
tend the schools from all parts of the
country, and several thousand mechan-
les, having a knowledge of all parts Of
their trades. who have gone out of these
schools in the past seven years, attest
their usefulness. The purpose of the
trade schools is not to graduate Journey
men. This, said Colonel Auchmuty.
would be both expensive and unneces-
DIT No
far better than the workshop trade in
all its parts. More than that, it can
teach what no workshop pretends to
teach-the science on which trade is
based, and which is in danger of being
forgotten. Speed of execution and the
experience necessary to meet the varied
problems ever presented to the mechanic
can only, on the other hand, be acquired
at real work. 1t is, therefore, the COM
bination of the trade school and the
workshop that offers the best results-the
trade school first to learn how to work
then the workshop to gain speed of
execution and experience" The object
sought to be accomplished by these
schools, that of educating American
mechanics, while at the same time rails
ing mechanical pursuits in popular re-
gard, is certainly important. This coun-
try should not be compelled to depend
wholly for its skilled labor upon the pro-
duct of foreign schools and workshops,
nor should American youth desiring to
learn trades be forced into other pursuits
less remunerative and less certain of Civ
ing them the means of a comfortable
ivlihood. The mechanical talent of
Americans is at least equal to that of
any other nationality, and it should be
gwen fair opportunity for develop
ment This the trade school will in
measure afford, and it seems quite prob
able that it will in time become wide
spread institution.