Samuel Smiles：Thrift, Excerpt 290

A powerful influence was next given to the movement by Mr. Charles W. Sikes, cashier of the Huddersfield Banking Company, who advocated their establishment in connection with the extensive organization of mechanics' institutes. It appeared to him that to train working people when young in habits of economy, was of more practical value to themselves, and of greater importance to society, than to fill their minds with the contents of many books. He pointed to the perverted use of money by the working class as one of the greatest practical evils of the time. "In many cases," he said, "the higher the workmen's wages, the poorer are their families; and these are they who really form the discontented and the dangerous classes. How _can_ such persons take any interest in pure and elevating knowledge?"

Source： https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14418
Locator：Excerpt 290 · Verified：2026-10-19 · Verification：Short excerpt

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