Smyrna times., 1897-05-12
THE VALUE OE. TECHNICAL EDUCA-
TION.
For the Smyrna Times.

For the Smyrna Times
The mysteries of mysticisms that for
ages have dominated all the industrial
pursuits, where something is pro-
duced from the raw material in longer
belong exclusively to a system that
hiding its knowledge within itself,
doled it out sparingly under servile
and too often ill directed apprentice
ship.
The bright minds that are controlling
the technical training of the youth of
the country to day are building the
fabric Of National prosperity better
than they know.
A higher class of mechanics are be-
ing turned out each year in these
schools who without them would have
made the poorest Lawyers, Doctors,
and Druggists imaginable.
1t should be remembered and not
lightly so, that the policy of the by
gone work shop has been continued by
the great corporate industries in
ignoring the individual and merging
him into a numbered machine, whereas
the technical school uplifts the indi-
vidual, and in appealing to his con-
structive faculties, paves the way
for a superiority in workmanship that
has not the taints of years of servility
about it, and what is of more import
ance, complete thoroughness.
That knowledge that lies within the
leaves of text book may be theory of
the best sort, but to what direction
does it lead unaided by physical ex-
pOsition-mere useless examining?
How very few theoretical students
know the primary value of the Base
line and its consequent right angle in
nearly all the trades, and yet can trip
through Algerbraic Trigonometry
with amazing aptitude.
How many utilize their knowledge
of National Philosophy to the extent of
experimenting in some way with either
of the Seven Mechanic Powers viz:
Lever, Pulley, Wedge, Axle, Inclined
Plane, Wheel and Screw. On these seven
principles every machine since the
world began has been either of one or
all constructed, and no others are
available. Now, it would be we'll to
understand what is principle that ad-
mits of no exceptions, that is to say,
cannot be improved, for the moment a
principle is improved upon a false
premises has been followed, and the
truth remains to be ascertained and
when found, all improvement ceases.
To take the we'll known power,
steam; here it would seem the truth
has been reached, but such is not the
case when rs per cent of fuel becomes
lost in its generation. On the other
hand the expansion and condensation
of steam in the steam chest and Cylin-
der for the transmission of its power
is true principle and cannot be i'm
proved upon. Going back again to the
Mechanic Powers and the right angIed
Base, it will be found that they are the
true principles of all trades, taking the
raw material and making something
out of it. No other primary move
ments can be made in any pursuit
without their aid, and followed to their
full development are the foundation
itself of the modern technical school.
Hence the technical school is a true
principle as against the theoretical
training of the ordinary school in fit
ting the youth to earn their living by
the knowledge acquired in them. The
technical school is at its best in Ger
many, and the result is seen in Ger
man manufacturers at first equalling,
them excelling and next underselling
England, France and Italy in their
own markets, besides building up 6
vast export trade. The German
Government in taking the matter in
hand had the foresight to restrict a
vast national income from going into
the hands of few large boporations
while the smaller ones are encouraged.
In the United States an almost fatal
policy prevails like the tumble of Nj
agara: everything must be done on a
large scale with large corporations,
on one side a sheer wall of masses,
on the other, a narrow strip of classes.
The belief that the American workman
exeels those of all other countries is
not one of facts. The system, or want
of system, in acquiring a thorough
knowledge of trades arises from
theoretical teaching being wholly re-
lied upon to the exclusion of technical
practice. The advanced educators of
the country know this to a certainty,
and with the multiplication of trade
schools the lasting superiority of
American mechanics becomes evident
in the worlds markets by selling a
better class of goods for less money.
JAMES B. SooTT.
Wilmington, Apru, 1897.
SPARRING MATCH IN THE CAPITOL.