The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-17
"MIDDLE CLASS" DEFINED.


DR.. Patten. professor of political economy
in the University Of Pennsylvania, believes
that basic principle of economy the
wife should be a wage-producer as we'll as
the husband. but he would confine the ap-
plication of this rule to the middle
classes"
The questions that at once suggest them
selves are. what constitutes the middle
classes, where is the distinguishing line
drawn, and how is any wife to know
whether she may or may not properly and
in accordance with economic principles con-
tribute TO the family income. Measured
by the financial standard, 1t will be gen.
orally admitted, presumably. that all who
can count themselves among millionaires
belong to an upper" class of society. Also
the lower classes. it will be commonly ac-
knowledged, include the slum element. OBJ
jects of charity, etc. Are the middle classes,
then, all who come between the upper and
lower strata? Literally. of course. they
are, but will the people boasting fortunes
of, say, 100000 whereabouts, willingly
class? Will the half-million people, those
with 100000, 10000, even 100000 range
themselves in that rank? Hardly. Coming
along still further down the line it will
probably continue to be just as difficult as
before 10 fix the limit. People will be will
ing enough to own that they are not, so
to speak, on the top shelf financially, for
the occupants of that place of vantage are
so few and those who have not reached
it so many that it is no confession of
infcriority not TO be in the exclusive cir
Gle. Then, where is the line of division,
not she may engage in lucrative pursuits
without disturbing the economic founda-
ton of society? What does the professor
himself say? All! here it is: "Of course
refer" says Professor Patten. Ito the
young married couples where each before
marriage was earning $40 or sl2 week l
believe that each should continue wage
Garner until the husbands income in
creases to such an extent, say $40, when the
wife add more to the utility of his
money by withdrawing from the wage
producing class
AT last it is settled. The middle classes
have been discussed from time out of mind
by social economists who have given no
exact definition of such classes. Society,"
with a large IS" speaks patronizngly of
the middle classes, but leaves each indi-
vidual to decide for himself just what they
cr Ilr Dot ~ 4 he
matter and leaves it no longer a mystery
and problem. The young men and women
who are earning $40 or Sl2 week are MEM
bers of the middle class. Remember that,
you son of capitalist beginning on the
bottom round, and you, young teacher,
or doctor, who consider yourself uncom-
monty lucky if you get the $40 with any
degree of regularity.
He doesn't mean these; he means labor
ing people. those who work at trades with
their hands, does he? How do you know ?
He doesn't say so; he simply speaks of
earning capacity without specifying the
method of earning. 1t is upon the income
that he bases his economic law. If you
are earning between $40 and $50 a week you
belong TO the middle classes; above that
limit you are, theoretically and obviously,
an upper-class person. What joy to the
s25 ranks this pronunciamento will bring;
what social peace ald satisfaction 1t not
only sets all lingering doubts at rest for
them but affords goal to work to for
those who are only receiving s12 week
oh. sapient professor, thus airily classify
ing your fellow-creatures as you would in
| sects, you have with one swift turn of
women may get and off the financial
band wagon, but have given an author
itative answer to a long-unsettled question
People may know, now, where they be-
| long.