Warning to Mechanics and Others

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!


On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.


The Leavenworth (Kansas) correspondent of the St. Louis Republican complains that a large number of mechanics and laborers, particularly stone masons, are enticed to the West by extravagant advertisements in eastern papers, promising them work at high prices, when no such demand for their labor exists. Such reckless conduct on the part of heartless specnlators, whose object is to exact bounties from credulous applicAnts for employment, cannot be too strongly censured. Mechanics and others do wrong in emigrating to any distant western State without having more positive assurances of employment after reaching there than the doubtful promise contained in the advertisements of those who live by duping the nnwary. In a late article, we took occasion to commend the efforts of societies established in many of the eastern cities for the purpose of obtaining employment for the worthy poor who are anxious to go West, and to facilitate their emigration thence ; and we would.advise all such persons who contemplate making a journey hundreds of miles in searcb. of employment, to consult the disinterested members of these societies in relation to the most suitable place for their labor, and other essential points, before taking the final step.

Scientific American Magazine Vol 13 Issue 38This article was published with the title “Mechanics” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 13 No. 38 (), p. 301
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican05291858-304e

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American

Subscribe