The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1892-04-23
Occupation For Boys.

Every year, IN thousands OF families,
AS the boys attain to the age when they
are supposed to have finished their
Manufacturer, the important question
arises: What shall be tho future occu
patton of the boy? The question is not
so easily answered, and whenever the
choice of occupation has been made with
out full consideration, it is too often
found that the selection has been made
without reference to the ply and
mental titnes of the boy for the chosen
field.
The wish of the boy Is very seldom
considered, AMI though young yet AID
without mature experience, it SGT ms hut
fair that his preferences should be TAX en-
into respectful consideration. P..reuts
frequently make the mistake AT his i'm
portant juncture of cho osing occup ltipus
for their boys for which the boys' phy,lo
system are i'll adapted Weakly boys with
narrow chests should never be put at
ihuOOl OCSu pdSlOh.S cJIlO u huc tidI 10
in the open air is better sai 9 | for sue.
Too many boys are annually consig ed
to other occupations, for wnich ihe7 ar.
! not fitted, to the great damage Of them
selves and of society, and IN which after
long and one sided struggle for me 9
existence, which is getting year by year
mora nraoarions and diffinult tbay ,,a
finally left stranded wreck, with the
Consciousness that the mistake III choos-
ing their occuP alton has been the main
cause of their misery and distress.
Most of this is due to the false pride
ard prejudics against the mechanic J.
trades which wou d have good fl Id for
the wrecked boy by intelligence, industry
and perseverance to have become a man
able to support himself and family and
| useful in society. Who can doubt the
truth of this? If we look about US we
cannot fail to see that in all occupations
the standards of requirement have been
raised, and particularly in those employ
| ments which are not included in the
| mechanical branches, much more is now
expected from applicants for positions
than formerly.
Look at the increasing numbers OF
| those who are studying for the law the
| ministry or the medical profession. Count
| the numbers of doctors, lawyers and
ministers who can barely exc out an
existence. Scrutinizo the advertising
columns of any of our newspapers anC
see the overwhelming number of those
| who seek employment having nothing to
offer but willing hands and feet, ordinary
| Intelligence and very little education.
Just look at the army of clerks aud 80
| called book keepers constantly offering
| their services; indeed, il would be more
truthful to say begging for employment
| at anything that offers. These are thu
direct consequences of au overcrOw ding
in those employ ments which do no
| require knowledge of any mechanics
| trade. 1t is not so bad where the boys
| have parents of means who can helI
| them, but where they have nothing bu
| what they can earn, it would be well i
our cry of alarm were needed aud falls,
pride aud prejudice were made to give
way to the true interest of the boy.
Ga the other hand, see how intelligent
we'll trained mechanics progress. 1t i,
| not necessary here to cite examples OF
living men, who after having Thoroughly
| learned mechanical trade, have, by
| industry, eoonymy, brains and force o
character lifted themselves into enviable
positions of business, honor, trust and
wealth. They are plenty who, from
small beginnings have attained success
All work is honorable and ennobling,
| and those who, probably being idl r,
themselves profess to look upon the
mechanic with disequal rights. should
| remember that idlers are always: super
| huous IN this worlds economy, but that
| the good mechanic is constantly in de
| maud, as he is the one who lays the
foundation of all business success and
| that his industry is an absolute necessity
to the capitalists.