V IN HUMAN SOCIETY 281 



done all these things for me, asks me in turn to 

 do something towards its preservation — even if 

 that something is to contribute to the teaching of 

 other men's children — I really, in spite of all my 

 individualist leanino-s, feel rather ashamed to 

 say no. And if I were not ashamed, I cannot say 

 that I think that society would be dealing un- 

 justly with me in converting the moral obligation 

 into a legal one. There is a manifest unfairness 

 in letting all the burden be borne by the willing 

 horse. 



It does not appear to me, then, that there is 

 any valid objection to taxation for purposes of 

 education ; but, in the case of technical schools 

 and classes, I think it is practically expedient 

 that such a taxation should be local. Our in- 

 dustrial population accumulates in particular 

 towns and districts ; these districts are those 

 which immediately profit by technical education ; 

 and it is only in them that we can find the men 

 practically engaged in industries, among whom 

 some may reasonably be expected to be competent 

 judges of that which is wanted, and of the best 

 means of meeting the want. 



In my belief, all methods of technical training 

 are at present tentative, and, to be successful, 

 each must be adapted to the special peculiarities 

 of its locality. This is a case in which we want 

 twenty years, not of " strong government," but of 

 cheerful and hopeful blundering; and we may be 



