Library Collections: Document: Full Text

An extensive inquiry made, in 1886, among former pupils of the school, showed them engaged at that time as follows:

MEN.
1 Artist,
3 Bakers,
1 Basket-maker,
1 Belt-maker,
1 Blacksmith
1 Boatman,
1 Boat-builder,
1 Book-agent,
2 Book-binders,
1 Brakeman,
1 Brass-molder,
1 Brass-worker,
1 Bricklayer,
5 Burnishers
2 Chair-makers,
1 Cigar-maker,
1 Clerk in drug store,
1 Clerk in post-office,
1 Casket-maker,
1 Casket-trimmer.
1 Draughtsman,
1 Dyer,
3 Editors,
70 Farmers,
1 Fireman,
3 Fishermen,
1 Foreman in warehouse,
1 Foundryman,
3 Furniture-makers,
1 Furniture-polisher,
1 Glass-cutter,
1 Glue-maker,
2 Hatters,
1 Hostler,
1 Ice-dealer,
1 Janitor,
1 Clerk in Treasury Department,
3 Clergymen, ordained,
1 Cooper.
6 Clockmakers,
1 Clock-case maker,
1 Copyist,
2 Cutters in shoe-shop,
12 Cabinet-makers,
1 Capitalist, * *This man has made his fortune, is a director and the largest stockholder of a flourishing insurance company.
1 Car-maker,
17 Carpenters,
2 Carriage-makers,
1 Carriage-painter,
2 Cartridge makers,
1 Oysterman,
1 Pail-maker,
8 Painters,
1 Paper-ruler (by machine),
1 Patent-lawyer,
1 Pattern-maker,
2 Peddlers,
1 Picture-frame maker,
3 Piano-case makers
1 Plough-maker,
1 Pocket-book maker,
5 Printers,
1 Quarryman,
1 Rubber-stamp maker,
1 Rule-maker,
5 Sash and blind makers,
2 Saw-milltenders,
1 Shoe dealer,
20 Shoemakers,
1 Jeweler,
3 Joiners,
7 Laborers
1 Lamp-trimmer,
1 Last-maker,
3 Lock-makers,
2 Masons
4 Machinists,
20 Mechanics,
1 Merchant,
21 Mill operatives,
1 Mill-wright,
1 Monument sculptor,
3 Nail-makers,
1 Organ-case maker,
27 Shoe factory operatives,
1 Shuttle-maker,
1 Spool-turner,
1 Stair-builder,
2 Stone-cutters,
1 Silver-metal scourer,
8 Tanners
15 Teachers
2 Tin-smiths,
1 Tool-maker,
2 Upholsterers,
1 Varnisher,
1 Wagon-maker,
1 Watch-maker,
4 Wire-drawers,
6 Wood-carvers
2 Wool-sorters.

WOMEN.
1 Book-stitcher,
2 Cartridge-makers,
27 Mill operatives,
5 Seamstresses
1 Corset-maker,
1 Dressmaker,
2 Hair-braiders,
1 Matron in a school for deaf-mutes,
2 Matrons, Assistant, in a school for deaf-mutes,
3 Shoe factory operatives,
1 Supervisor of girls in school for deaf-mutes,
2 Tailoresses,
6 Teachers.

A large number of the women are married and have homes of their own. Many others live with their parents, and are useful and efficient members of the household. Of these two classes no note is made in the above list of occupations.

WAGES.

As a rule the wages reported are not inferior to those earned by others in the same kinds of work, and some are receiving wages above the average.

One shoemaker earns $125.00 per month on an average, others report an average of $60.00 per month, others $40.00 per month, and the lowest reported in that trade is $1.00 a day -- the wages of boys little more than half way through their teens.

One weaver earns $53.00 a month, others $40.00, others $30.00 to $35.00.

Carpenters generally report wages of $2.00 a day.

Cabinet-makers earn from $1.25 to $2.25 a day.

One mechanic earns from $75.00 to $80.00 per month.

Clock-makers report wages varying from 1.25 to $3.00 per day for piece work.

Burnishers report wages varying from $1.25 to $5.00 per day for piece work.

Teachers receive wages which will not compare unfavorably with the wages paid for teaching the same grades of classes in the profession generally, the highest salary reported being $1800.

The patent lawyer, in a competitive examination for the chief examinership in the patent office, received the highest mark, but being debarred from that office by his infirmity, he entered upon the practice of patent law, in which he has gained a lucrative practice.

It will be seen by a glance at the list given above, that there is a great variety in the occupations of former pupils. Comparatively few of them have followed the trades learned at school, but all have carried with them the trained hand and eye, the cultivated judgment, and the industrious habits acquired. In no case have they found these a hindrance to their advancement, but, rather, on the foundations thus laid they have built their success. There is nothing degrading or belittling, in the acquirement of any honest handicraft. The false impression that there was has started many a young man on his way to the almshouse or the jail. Honest industry of any kind is honorable. Voluntary idleness is degrading, whether it be found among the rich or the poor, among the learned or the ignorant.

The plan of manual training first put into operation here has been adopted by nearly every school for deaf-mutes in the country, and to it may be attributed in no small degree the fact that a deaf-mute pauper or vagrant from among graduates is rarely found, though impostors not infrequently assume the role of deaf-mutes that they more readily may work upon the sympathies of the public and so procure the means of living without labor. As a class, the country through, deaf-mute graduates are honest, industrious, thrifty, and respected citizens, and not a few of them have brought up families of hearing children, who have risen to positions of influence and honor.