The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-01-16
OTTO STECHHAN ON LABOR
lie Believes Education of the Masses
Will Solve All Social Problems.
Lack of It Has Been the Great Bar TO the Ad-
yancement of the laborer-Lecture
Before the Progress Club.

The attendance at the regular meeting
of the Progress Club. held In Mansur Hall.
yesterday afternoon, was, owing to the
severe weather, not large. but those who
were present were highly entertained with
the address of Otto Stechhan, on the sub
ject. Education the Solution of the Labor
Problem" Mr.. Steohhan talked for an
hour. covering in detail the numerous
points wherein he believed that the only
true solution whereby the ameiioration of
the poor man could come about asthrOugh
the channels of education. knowledge is
power" he said, and the infallible proof of
wealthy. educated class dictated to the
poor. uneducated class.
Were the wage-earner better informed
on economies and general questions of
state than he is" said Mr.. Stechhan, "the
happy solution to the great problem would
be clear. Strikes and lOck-outs would not
s De necessary; but we can never
TIL education is disseminated. Give
the labor element proper time to study.
The era has now arrived when q short la
bor-day should be inaugurated. 1t cannot
be expected that after q man has labOred
position to study. He may have few
short moments TO peruse tho daily news
paper, but newspapers can't solve this
problem: besides the press Is biased. full of
comes from the capitalist the paper is not
kindly disposed to the cause of labor. With
education the wage-wOrker will be enabled
to think for himself will not be led by
ward politicians. He will understand that
public franchises are valuable; he will be
recognized socially. and will make his in
Hucnce felt in international affairs.
Now, as to hild-labor. It is o blot on
civilization. and should be done away with.
Many thousand men and women women
had they cultivated their talents by
embracing the opportunities offered them
In youth would, instead. be holding posi-
tions of Importance and dignity. The child
not thrive as tender young plant. he
should have the care and guidance of par
ents and teachers. The innocent young
girl. too. who is compelled to exc out an ex-
istence in the crowded factory too often
becomes the victim of the despoiler: she
too often becomes coarse aud rude. and
loses the character that belongs to the true
woman. IT'S said that the church has done
much for the labOring people. Scan the
pages of history and see what that institu-
tion has done for the labor slave. and it
can be readily seen that the laborer can
look for little relief through that channel.
Very few of our lsborinR men care to read
the books of higher grades or listen
to the cultured lecturer. Whyf Because
their earlier education has been
sadly neglected. A plan should
be devised by which the children
of laboring men can be furnished school
books free of charge. This would be
grand help and big step toward solving
this problem. What chance las the son of
the workingman in securing the appoint
ment to the naval school or West Pointf
None. for he is not up to the standard in
education.
1T is high time that the wage-worker
realized that his apathy is keeping him
back. When will he learn that 1t Is knowl-
edge that makes him the equal of all men?
One way ont of this difficulty is the INDUS
trial school. soon to be built. where the
youth can be fitted for the trades, and the
girls can be taught cooking and sewing.
There Will also be established class for
old people who are deficient In knowledge.
Such a school ought to be received with
open arms by every workingman."
The speaker concluded his remarks by
paying q glowing tribute to labor. and CAV Q
way to q general d discussion of the theme
by the club.