as well, they would be enabled to enter upon their life's 

 work with minds developed and hands skilled, and thereby 

 earn a better living and attain a higher place in the social 

 world than they could otherwise possess. 



There is no country in the world where the demand for 

 skilled mechanics, or the compensation for skilled work is 

 so great as in the United States. Our manufacturing in- 

 terests are yet in their infancy, and with the almost unlim- 

 ited natural resources of our favored country, there is n(j 

 prospect of any sudden lessening of this demand, but 

 rather of its gradual and sure increase. The vast West 

 is even now attracting daily large numbers of our active 

 and able young men, and with her beds of coal and iron, 

 gold, silver and copper threatens to compel the East to re- 

 linquish some of her prosperous industries. How then 

 shall New England keep her lead in manufactures, engi- 

 neering and the industrial arts? She must undoubtedly 

 maintain schools of applied science, in which artisans, su- 

 perintendents, agents and engineers may be thoroughly 

 trained in the principles and practice of their trades and 

 professions. Here in our own State, in which manufact- 

 uring and ship-building are the chief interests, we have 

 three colleges providing what is called a liberal education 

 for her sons while we have nothing worthy of the name of 

 a University of Technology.* 



The time has gone by when it is thought derogatory for 

 a young man of education and ability to learn a mechani- 

 cal trade, and already many of our college graduates are 

 turning their attention to these pursuits in prefefence to 

 the so-called liberal professions. 



If the State wishes to develope her resources, increa.-ie 

 her manufactories, keep her sons from going outside of 

 her boundaries to seek their fortune, she must provide 



*NoTE. — ^This is not intended to reflect in the least on the excellent a,^- 

 ricultural College at Orono, supported by the State. 



