The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-25
FRIDAY, JANUARY %. 1901
TECHNICAL 1sDUCaTIoN-AGAIN.

In yesterdays paper we printed an
and as the subject is one that carries
within its scope the very life of civiliza-
ton. we wish to refer to it again. We
pointed out the great strides in CONNER
ciai success that were being made in
parts of the world of which the average
American and EnGlisnmar have never
heard, and the force of this statement
lies in the fact that the rapid develop
ment of German and Polish and Austrian
manufacturers. though they may lead to
greater consumption by the world at
large. Will inevitably place a more severe
competition on the English and American
producers.
The day of universal peace, if by peace
we mean the cessation Of armed HOSTILE
ties, may not be a century away, but the
day of universal war, il by war we mean
The struggle for commercial existence, is
a problem that is terribly near TO us all,
and especially to the English.
MIR. Baker, to whose article we referred
yesterday, points out that while very
much is being done in such large COM
mercial centres as Manchester, Leeds
and Bradford by the local authorities for
furthering technical shill in the working
classes, England, as whole, is far be-
hind Germany. because in Germany The
best minds that can be procured are made
use of by the Government in spreading
strongly centralized governmental control
OF education
This system is one that is not in ac-
cordance with the genius of the Anglo
Saxon people. We have long maintained
that strenuous liberty produces in the end
better results than any amount OF careful
coddling by the Government. Our great
political teachers have staked their lives
and their future regulations on the state
nent that the spirit of a people is of
more value than their skill in any branch
OF science or industry. and that the
spirit and freedom and self-reliance of
a people can never be developed by a
strongly centralized and parental form of
government. That this was true when
Thomas jefferson lived and taught, none
can doubt The outcome Of his far-see-
ing and political faith has been the pro-
duction of people which for political
sagacity and commercial intelligence is
not eNcelled by any nation on earth, and
with our enormous undeveloped re-
sources. with mountains of iron and thou-
sands of square miles of coal, and mil
lions OF acres of fertile prairie, it may
we'll be doubted whether the part of cold
wisdom will call us to follow the .Ieffec-
sonian principle of local self-governmeat
forever
But England has neither our resources
nor our population, and il is a fearful
problem that confronts her statesmen as
10 What they shall do, if not to extend,
at least TO keep The commcrc;ai fields
that they now occupy Twenty-Five years
ago Germany could not ship her goods 10
the far east or the west except in Eng
]ish bottoms, To-day a German citizen
can travel IN German liner to America,
England, China, Japan or Australia. and
cancc Of that familiar phrase, Made in
Germany"
This great development of commeciai
enterprises has been undoubtedly stimu-
lated and fostered 10y a highly organized
and scientifically directed system of edu-
catien. and il has been often pointed out
that German. teachers have one tremen-
dous leverage for enforcing their work,
which English teachers have not, In the
.nducement that successful work will earn
remission OF part of the term of military
service.
II Is a striking Fact tina, despite the Eng
Isl, objection 10 cempulsory. military SER
Nice. and despite the fact that this form
OF occupation takes four or five of the
best years of a yonn;: mans life FROM.
productive employment and spends them
In mere routine drill, the countries which
hayA had f.onscripIiou have been the