| Title | The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists |
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| Page | 1346 |
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| Chapter | -- |
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| Text |
`When we arrive at the system that displaced Feudalism, we find that the condition of the workers was better in every way than it is at present. The instruments of production - the primitive machinery and the tools necessary for the creation of wealth - belonged to the skilled workers who used them, and the things they produced were also the property of those who made them. `In those days a master painter, a master shoemaker, a master saddler, or any other master tradesmen, was really a skilled artisan working on his own account. He usually had one or two apprentices, who were socially his equals, eating at the same table and associating with the other members of his family. It was quite a common occurrence for the apprentice - after he had attained proficiency in his work - to marry his master's daughter and succeed to his master's business. In those days to be a "master" tradesman meant to be master of the trade, not merely of some underpaid drudges in one's employment. The apprentices were there to master the trade, qualifying themselves to become master workers themselves; not mere sweaters |
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