The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-03-27
TECHNICAL EDUCATION.
PApER NO. 1. wATAUGA CHI

l. Ii
The Watauga Club of Raleigh (which
is composed of citizens of North Carn-
lina), realizing the great Importance ana
necessity of having the youth of the
State taught ''the best mode of dong
work that the world requires to be done
and which the world is willing 10 nav
literally for, provided it is done i'm tho
best manner possible" the club has ar.
ranged to prepare and to have published
a series of short articles, on the pres.
ent importance of textile instruction, ana
the necessity for educating our young
men to fill positions of responsibility, rs
superintendent, managers and owners
of textile mills.
1t is an historical fact that the founda.
ton of England's supremacy in manufac-
turing was laid when the British Parlia-
ment ordered that every French Huge.
not who accepts refuge, and who erects
a loom or other industry in the king
dom, shall give employment and train
ing to at least one English youth this
wise action has aided in making the
English-speaking people the manufac-
turers of the world.
About a quarter of a century ago.
Gladstone warned England that unless
more attention was given to technical
education and training, other nations
might take away their supremacy. He
has lived to see a partial fulfillment of
the prediction. especially in regard to
Germany.
The apprentice system is thing Of
the PAST. and will never be revived. The
great revolution wrought by steam and
electric machinery in all branches of
mill operations. has made high-grade
technical training an absolute neces.
s:ty: and in order to develop efficient
managers of men and machinery, the
ground work for this training and edu-
cation must hereafter be obtained in in
dustria or technical schools in the same
way that men are prepared by special
training to eventually occupy high posi-
tons in law and medicine. The employ
ment of boy or man on special ma
chine will seldom develop a leader or
manager. without some previous instruc-
ton ON general subjects.
1t is a well known fact, that the boys
and girls of a country are its most val
liable possessions, and that time and
money employed in their proper train
ing and development will give the lar
gest and most satisfactory returns to
the State. 1t increases their earning
capacity. and therefore their value to
the State.
1t is estimated by careful men that
three-fourths of the new cotton mills of
the future will be located in the South.
ern States: and North Carolina must
be prepared to erect and TO manage her
full share of them. North Carolina pro-
duces the cotton; contains an abundance
of coal and other fuel; valuable and
accessible water powers; an unsurpassez:
climate. and large number of bright
actiye American boys, who are eager for
industrial education. Shall the State
give them such advantage? We are
amply able to give a textile education
to all who desire it; and 10 time should
be lost in organizing textile depart
ment at the Agricultural and Mechani-
cal College. Such an addition would
soon induce one hundred new students
to attend the college.
Many of the graduates of this college
are working their way to positions OF
profit and influence; and graduates of
the textile department who have some
natural ability and character would soon
be able to work their way to good posi-
tons. and also be a benefit TO mill own
ers of the State.