The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-09-14
Dhe Wessenger.
HINTS AND FACTS AS TO TECHNI-
CAL EDUCATION.

We saw lately in some newspaper an
editorial on the great progress made
in Germany in manufacturing, ana
that it was highly descriptive and
much. Of an Endorsement to say made
IN Germany" We mad not learned that
manufactures in Germany were supe-
rior to those in England. We had not
believed, for instance, that the cutlery
Of Germany surpassed or equalled that
Of Sheffield. We confess to absolute
Tncredulity yet. But we do not ques-
ton the improvement end excellence
of German manufactured goods. The
cause Of the superiority Is attributed
to the technical education impaired to
German workmen. 1t is not really
necessary to be sent to a
schoo to become an expert machinist.
In the past very superior wOrkmen
could be found in the many
calIings who acquire their skill in the
workshops. But this is not saying
that many excellent workmen are not
taught in technical school and that
they are not of great importance and
advantage. A machine shop is he best
place to become an expert machinist
wherever the shop may be.
Recently we observed that an En-
,giish newspape of rank, felt that there
e was more danger from Germany's RI
~yalry in industrial development than in
the increase Of it's army or navy. 1t
marks the very great advancement In
the last quarter Of a century in that
great empire in industrial equipment
and efficiency. 1t says that Germany's
technical schools are turning out a
magnificent industrial army, and in
this sphere of knowledge the countries
that compete with it must quickly i'm
prove their skill, If they are not to see
the decline of their prosperity"
We all attention to this expressed
apprehension of rivalry to point a ne
ta,essity for the south. There is great
need surely in our great section for the
best possible technical schools. While
in some states the negroes are being
trained for efficiency and skill as me-
chanics there is neglect on the part OF
the whites. There are already some
few excellent white schools of this
kind, but many more are greatly need
ed. The Miller school in Virginia is of
the highest grade. But it is the out
come Of the foresight and large gener-
osity of one live man.
T-..o -1~, I.@ ort of tho Car
man empire, but very important, x
ponds $500, 900 yearly upon it's techni-
cal schools. This is not a great sum,
perhaps, but a most useful outlay, and
it will bring back in multiplied dol
lars the wise outlay. From The Rich
mond Dispatch that has been examin-
ing Germa reports, We gather that
Prussia, in addition to it's outlay as
given above, has established six spe-
ciaI schools for the construction of
machines, a school for the bronze indus
try, one for steel and iron mongery, an
other for navigation, and schools for
the study of pottery, porcelain, and
painting on glass. These, however,
Form only & part of the system of tech
nical instruction, there being 24S other
schools in which such instruction is
impaired to more than II, 900 pupils.
h larger number of these schools are
the outcome of the joint efforts of as
sociations mainly composed of large in
dustrial concerns. Of the schools thus
maintained, with some aid from the
~ n --z e. @-I Ioao~o
tors, 8 for shoemakers, 16 for tailors, 20
for bakers, 6 for butchers. rs for
smiths, and so on. In Berlin the pro-
vision for technical instruction costs
the municipality $4,000 a year. In
SaxOny, which is at the head of all the
German states in technical instruction,
there are Ill schools in which such in
struction is given. OF the schools in
Saxony, 10 are schools Of agriculture
and 40 are schools of commerce. Bava-
ria, besides it's higher schools of archi-
lecture, and art, has As
technical schools, with 2,6S2 pupils.
While the south is striving to de-
~elop on the ines of manufactures and
agriculture it should be careful to
: work also continually upon the plan of
general industrial developments Inc
particularly with reference to the tech
nical schools in all branches of indus
try This in the end will pay the states
AS well as the individuals taught. In
the Granduchy Of Baden, Germany,
fhere as 1000, 900 inhabitants. The sum
expended on technical education is
$3.50 900 annually. North Carolina
Sould De wise with it's larger popula-
-2hon-some 1880, 900 perhaps-would be
wise to expend at least 500, 900 on tech
HicaI schools, and much more in the
years just ahead. We learn that in
she Grand-duchy of Hesse, which has
about 1000, 900 inhabitants, there are
schools of architecture and sculpture,
nine schools of artisans. forty-three for
various industries, and eighty-two of
zVaGiup