The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1896-09-26

-AaSS VI INCOMES ran short of $3.50 a
year; In the so-called middle classes are
comprised all individuals or families
whose annual earnings or incomes
range from $3.50 to 5000; by the rich
are meant those whose incomes exceed
SO,OOO year. It is the middle classes
ana the rich, as thus defined, who paw
the income tax in the United Kingdom
ana we have consequently an easy and
trustworthy means of ascertaining
their growth in numbers from year to
year, as compared with that of the rest
OF the population. Now, from 1850 to
1851 the total population Of the United
Kingdom increased from about 27,500,-
OOO to 100000; on the other hand, the
income tax-paying population was, in
the hrst-named year, 100000, whereas
It was more than 100000 in 1881. If
these two amounts are deducted from
the totals at the two dates, we obvious
y have working class population of
26,OOO,OOO in 1850, and of 3O,5OOOOO in
1881; it follows that during the three
decades named the working classes in
creased by only about Is per cent,
While the middle classes increased by
more than 300 per cent. Instead, then,
OF the poor becoming poorer, the sta
tlstics prove that they are mounting
rapidly into the comfortable middle
class, comprising persons whose an
nual incomes amount to $3.50 a year or
over, which incomes, it must also be
remembered, possessed in 1880 a much
greater purchasing power than they
did thirty years before.
"This is by no means the whole of
the case made by Mr.. Mallock in refu.
tatton of the current assertion that the
rich are becoming richer and the poor
poorer. He goes on to show that not
only has the number of the comforta-
bic class increased at rate out of all
proportion to that of the rest of the
community, but that the incomes of
those who may be said to have been
left behind in the working class ex-
hibit an enormous and almost incredi.
BILE aggregate advance. 1t appears
that during the first sixty years of this
century the aggregate incomes of the
working classes rose to such an extent
that in the year 1860 it was equal (all
deductions for the increase of popula-
ton being made to the income of all
classes combined in the year 1900. A
still more amazing fact brought out by
the statistics is that a result precisely
similar has been since accomplished in
one half of the time. In 1880 the ag-
gregate income of the working classes
was (all deductions for the increase of
population being made) more than
equal to the income of all classes in the
year 1850. Thus, the working classes
of the United Kingdom in 1860 were in
precisely the same pecuniary position
as the working classes of 1900 would
have been had the entire wealth of the
kingdom been placed in their hands
and, secondly, the working classes OF
to-day are in better pecuniary posi-
ton than their fathers would have
been could they have plundered and
divided between them the wealth OF
every rich and middle class man in the
kingdom at lifetime of the building OF
the Crystal Palace used for the frs
London Exhibition. Mr.. Mallock
points out that the widest Socialist
cannot possibly claim for the people
more wealth than exists, no matter
what revolution he might be able to &C
complish. Yet, in point of fact, this
miracle of redistribution has taken
place twice in the course of three gen
erations, not only without any attempt
at revolution, but in consequence Of
the very Institution against which the
Would-be revolutionists protest.
eve may notice one other. current
fallacy which Mr.. Mallock has disposed
of. In the minds of many persons ;
vague belief exists that there is in the
United Kingdom colossal unoccupieC
class of luxurious and worthless per
sons. Now, it is true that the class de
scribed as 'unoccupied' is stated in the
British census at something like ;;
per cent of the whole number; ant
this figure certainly looks startling un
til We learn what it stands for. As
matter of fact we must deduct from /
nearly all women, nearly all children
under Is, nearly all males over s., al
lunatics; all deaf and dumb persons
sc. By making such indispensable
deductions we reduce the number Q
the unoccupied to 100000; again, o
these we find that more than 10000 ar
men that have retired from bushes
after their ffty-ffth year, and nearl,
6OOO are pensioners about the sam
age. AS matter of fact, the humble
of males between 20 and 65-returned a
IivinV en- their own means is not NOR
than 1900 in the whole United King
dom. and a large number of these ar
nan U,bo have returned to England Il