Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 December 1890 — WASHINGTON. [ARTICLE]

WASHINGTON.

Spencer Morton Clark, who designed and printed the first greenback, died at his home near “Washington on Friday, aged eighty years. He was in the office of the Supervising Architect of the Treasury, when, on Aug. 2'J, 1862, it was decided to ' ssue paper money. Mr. Clark suggested the form and design to Secretary Chase arid was authorized to organize the bureau of engraving and printing, which is now one of the largest establishments under the Government. There will be no river and harbor bill this session. Chairman Henderson called the first meeting of the committee Wednesday morning. The subject of framing a bill was discussed, but the point was made tiiatit would be.useless to frame a bill, as there would be no prospects of it 3 passage. The report of the chief of engineers was read, from which it appeared that, owing to the lateness of the passage of last year’s bill and the generous appropriation, there remained, in the case of most of the work, alarge sum of money from the last appropriation which could be used: It was therefore decided not to frame a bill. The House committee on the census Wednesday morning discussed iuformally and without action the reapportionment bill. It was decided to give a hearing Friday to Brooklyn on the demand for a recount of that city, and it was also decided that the question of the accuracy of the countof New York city and similar ques tions with respect to Brooklyn and any other cities should not delay action upon the reapportionment bill. This declaration that there should be speedy action on the reapportionmenirbill received the sup port of all the members of tha rammitinw except two—Messrs. Blount and Holman who expressed the opinion that a determination of the aceuracy of the count in New York city and Brooklyn was essential to a proper consideration of the reappor tionment question. The discussion then turned upon the number of members . that should compose the House, and showed a sentiment favorable to 356, the number originally suggested by Mr. Frank. The. talk in committee did not turn upon party lines, as had been expected, and as a whole the Democratic members are satisfied tha 1 356 is perhaps as fair a number as any which could be proposed, provided that New York is accorded proper consideration. Mr. Holman's idea was that the House was large enough at present, but he recognized the fact that there was strong opposition to lowering the prestige of any State by reducing its representation, and on the other band, Mr. Tillman of South Carolina thought the House not at all large enough, and announced his intention to vote for the largest number any one pro posed.