The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1901-09-25
oUR TECHNICAL SCHOOLS.
They Furnish the Best Bridge Builders,
Tool Makers and Railway Constructors
in the World European Methods AaVe
been Adapted Rather than Adopted.


been Adapted Rather than Adopted.
(From the Brooklyn Easleo
Merchants and statesmen to-day con-
rratulate themselves upon the wonderful
spread of this country's commerce, tne
greatest any nation has ever seen. But
they do not, perhaps, realize that the ma
ton has advanced in another way that is
possibly the true core Of our national sue
cess. This is the extraordinary advance
in scientific learning. as shown IN the
universities, professional and technlcal
schools and in everyday life. II this RAPID
moulding Of America into sclentlhc ma
ton does not fully account for the COM
mercial victories, 1t has at all events con-
tributed largely to them.
So pronounced has been the development
of these universities and schools that now
at the beginning Of the century they sur
pass those of Europe. And yet surpassed
is by no means the right word. There is
no institution in Europe resembling tAen
or organized on quite the same plan. Inc
scientific school Of America in its grasp
of what really constitutes practical, exten-
sive training has no counterpart IN 'he
world. It turns out scientists that are at
the same time worhmen Of the highest
type. The universities and technical
schools of England and the Continent, ex-
cellent as many OF them are, have not ful-
iv caught the spirit and trend Of the time.
The tree Of the new American sclentinc
education is being known by its frult. II
has brought a new sort OF workman INTO
the field Of labor, and European indus
trv stands by, wondering why her repre-
sentatiyes cannot do as well.
The explanation Of 1t IS all very SIMPLE
however. American technical eoucauon
had its first beginning fifty years ago.
Ave
entifc professional; schools have been see
ing their true development. Now the com
bined results have become so great that
they are apparent all over the world
The earliest technical schools" wrote
Prof Mendenhall, president Of the TECH
nologIcaI Institute of Worcester, Mass, IN
his monograph on Scientific, Tecnnical
and Engineering Education in the United
States" prepared for the recent Faris tIx-
position, those Of g. hundred years ago
or more, almost without exception. grew
out of the industrial demands OF the local
ity in which they we're founded. One OF
the hest examples Is the famous School Of
Mines, at Freiberg, which has enjoyed q
long and illustrious career, and many OF
the earlier European schools belong to the
same class. To these and the more MOD
ern schools of science and technology the
United States are greatly lnceotec, espe-
cially on account Of the generous WEI
come that has always been EXTENDED 10
American students and for the Inspiration
with which many Of them have returned
70 take their part in the wonderful edr.ca-
tional evolution which the last haI CEN
tury has witnessed.
'But in all cases European methods nave
been adapted rather than adopted,
and while the nearly 100 schools Of science
and engineering scattered over the United
States have many points Of resemo!a nee,
there is much Individuality, particularly
among the strongest and best, ana II IS De-
lieved that their several types represent
important advances in the direction OF
scientific and technical education"
This matter OF scientific training Tor
vouth makes but a conservative, quiet
claim, though yet a substantial one. he
might have pointed to some OF the results
OF these "believed to be important ao-
vances." American technical school grad
yates have come to be the bridge ou1!oers
OF the world. There are no steel makers
no tool makers III Europe equal TO the
COOL keen young scientists IN american
shops and mills. Nor has the continent
and England such race OF railway con-
struction engineers. Only this summer lae
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Erglisbmen Of scientific tastes, who, to
learn what they wanted to fit them for
the scientific world, found their only re-
course an American school. And, N the
field Of medicine four distinguished physi-
clans and surgeons Of this country are
now touring the world at the request Oh
foreign doctors who are anxious to learn
accurately Of the advances OF this branch
OF the science IN the New World.
Our Of many significant instances these
have been picked The number might be
greatly added to, with only the advantage
OF emphasizing the point. That which mas
the most pronounced is, however, the turn
inr of the tide. Thirty years ago, and even
well onto very recent years, the american
student of any kind Of science found II
part of his education to go to the schools
abroad for as long period as his pocket
book could stand. His education was not
thought complete till then. And 1t was
not, for scientific training IN this country
was not formed Now the student has no
need to go. AS he takes his degree he IS
far beyond what the schools Of Europe
teach And year following year, in in
creasing numbers, young Europeans are
coming over here to grasp the training
that our universities are giving and TO
absorb the technique and the thorough
practicalness that are making American
scientists masters Of men.
Adapted" was the word Prof Menden-
hall used in speaking Of European meth
DDS and the American universities, rather
than adopted" But it has been very much
more than that. Brushing traditions aside
these institutions OF learning went long
ago to the root Of the matter Year by
wear they have been building up their
equipment, strengthening their courses
Questions # finance and whether 1t would
all pay y have politely laughed at
Money was needed for this and for that
Well, the chiefs would see that i, was OBJ
tanned. Machinery was necessary. A.
once the great manufacturers were laid
under contribution, and they sent as gifts
machines worth thousands.
The technical school presidents knew
how to arouse the sympathetic under
standing of men Of means and fore
thought. Benefactors for this and for that
crowded in, their gifts were chronicled in
the news of the day, commented upon as
,,oe- .ba io,reS added IN and admired