The Advance., 1891-03-05
TERMS: so CENTS PER YEAR.
VOLUME FOUR.

MafCl i, 1898, IOr Lu0 0ApFOSS puLPOoO W SAN-
ing first lessons in the art of printing to such
boys as could be advantageously employed
in it's manufacture. Secondly, for the purpose
of furnishing moral instructive and entertain
ing reading matter for the three hundred and
more boys in the New-Jersey State Reform
School; and, incidentally, to make known to
the general public the character, objects and
some of the wants of the Institution 1t was
never intended to make it in any respect To-
cal or general newspaper, or to in any way
come into competition with the press OF the
State Upon these lines it has been strictly
conducted, and this will probably be the charac-
ter and objects of the publication as long as it
is continued.
THE ADVANCE has subscribers in every Coun-
ty in the State, and elsewhere, and probably
has larger weekly circulation than nine-tenths
of the weekly newspapers in the State. The
low subscription price ought to secure for it
many hundred more subscribers than it now
has, as the matter it contains is we'll calculated
to interest and instruct the youth of the State,
and especially boys. No doubt this will be the
case when the character and quality of the
paper has become better known. It will still
be the endeavor to make it of value to all such.
With these objects in view we commend THE
ADVANCE to the kind consideration of the pub
lie, promising to continue to do the best the
circumstances will permit us.
In the early part of the month of February,
1888, a limited amount of printing material was
received here, and the present head of the de-
partment placed in charge. On the 10Th of the
same month three boys-EDWARD NICHOLS
EDWARD M. HUGHES and JAMES A. CLARK
were assigned to the Office to receive their first
lessons in the art of printing. They knew alb
solutey nothing of the business when they en-
tered, but on the first of March thereafter had
succeeded in learning enough to enable the
first number of THE ADVANCE to be put to
press, with the assistance of their instructor.
Other boys were added from time to time, and
from eight to ten have been under instruction
at once eight now remaining in the Office. 1t
has been the desire to add more to the number,
but as our quarters and printing material are
limited this has been found impracticable. The
ages of the boys employed have ranged from
thirteen to seventeen years, and of very limited
educational qualifications on entering. These
boys have greatly improved in the latter re-
spect since they came into contact with the use
of type. Most of them have shown liking
for the business, and declared their intention of
making it life occupation. Some of them
have demonstrated that the business is one that
they can succeed in, showing Especial adaptation
for the art of printing. Some have made rapid
advancement, and the chances are that they
will in due time become good practical printers.
Of course, practical printers know that the bust
ness cannot be learned in one. two or three
years, and that it takes many years to become
thorough masters of the art. But in two or
three years in an Office like ours, boys of fair
average capacity can learn enough to enable
them to go into good printing Offices " out
side" and earn sufficient to enable them to
support themselves comfortably while continu-
ing under further instructions, and in due time
become good practical workmen. The instruc-
tion given here is thorough, and based upon
the rules and practices in operation in the best
printing offices in the country. During the
time boy is expected to remain in this Office
his instruction is far more thorough than he
would be likely to receive in an "outside I"
Office, as more pains is here taken with him
than is usually the case in the majority of
printing offices, and therefore he has better
start in life than he would have in the same
time employed in the average city Office,
and when once released is able to make more
rapid advancement in his trade than he would
otherwise do. Consequently we contend that
no boy ought to be assigned to our printing
Office unless it is the intention that he should
remain in it from two to three years at least.
The mere smattering of this business that boy
would gain in only few months practice in it