San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-01-26
UNCLE SAM ISSUES NEW BANK
NOTES.
Are Works of Art With Historical
and AlIegorical Signs.

and AlIegorical Signs.
To most men the beauty of a Uni
ted States note depends less on the
artistic value Of the picture en-
graved upon it than on the size of
the plain number stamped upon it's
face. But persons OF artistic sensi-
bilities have long desired change
OF the designs that would make our
currency creditable from an ess-
thetic standpoint. Among those
who share in this desire Is Chief
Claude M, Johnson, of the Bureau
of Engraving and Printing. After
many months OF effort he convert
ed the secretary Of the treasury to
his views.
Mr.. johnson believes that the
United States notes Of issue should
in each denomination represent in
their designs some idea typical Of
the republic, or illustrative Of it's
growth, power, history or resources.
He therefore obtained from leading
artists designs for a new style Of
notes. All Of our notes are very
| plain. Their designs consist for the
most part OF portraits OF presidents,
generals, statesmen and prominent
officials, in combination with more
or less elaborate scroll work. There
is nothing characteristic about
them except plainness and paucity
Of design.
Chief johnson has already Sc
cured designs for the new one, five
or ten dollar certificates, and the
plates are being engraved. The
present 81 silver certificate has on
its face the portrait OF Martha
Washington, zone Silver Dollar"
on a scroll in lathe work on the
|. It, and another scroll in the CEN
tor. The new 81 certificates have
been designed by Will l. Low, the
New York artist. The engraving
represent History and Youth.
History is represented by beau
tiful woman, who sits at the left
upon the ledge Of great window
adorned partially by the Ameri-
can flag. She points to Washing
ton monument in the d istance,
i L
the capitol, still farther away. A
youth encircled by. her other arm,
follows her gaze with ambition
stamped upon his features. On the
opposite end of the ledge stands a
printed book, on which with a
strong & lass, one can read the first
paragraphs of the Co Institution Of
the United States. The whole g
framed in a series OF small pol
traits of the great men OF the Ma
ton, among whom are authors
and inventors, as we'll as those
who have attained fame in the
public service.
Fully as great change will be
made in the design Of the new 80
silver certificate. 1t now has a
portrait OF Grant, with the work
and scrolls, on which Is printed
the denomination. The new design
Is by Walter Shirley, and is con-
sidered the strongest OF all so far
approved. 1t is allegOrical and re-
presents the power, genius and
strength Of the country. Liberty
Is represented by beautiful
woman In graceful robes standing
upon the globe, with her feet rest
ing upon North America. In her
raised hand she holds an mean
descent light from which ribbon
runs to lightning-torn clouds at
the left.
Clutchipg those clouds Is Force,
a powerful man, who also controls
three terrified horses, hitched to
chariot. At the right Of Liberty
the dome and the Senate wing of
the capitol can be seen in the back
ground. Partially hiding 1t Is an
other female figure holding aloft q
dove, and below a scroll. This re-
presents Peace and law. At the
left of liberty typical American
eagle is poised, and on the other
side sits Fame, q third female
figure proclsimIng the glory Of the
country through . trumpet OF
great length.
Thomas F. Morris, OF the en-
craving bureau, designed the new
ten-dollsr silver certificate, but his
design has been elaborated by Mr..
Shirlaw. Two white cruisers are
seen upon the ocean, one coming
bow on at the left OF the note, and
the other showing her port side In
the center background. A large
sitting figure leaning upon ham,
mer at the right-hand corner rep
resents the shipbuilders. Two in
fantile Neptunes with tridents,
dolphins, and shellfish grace the
lower left-hand corner of the note.
This is such a good design that 1t
may be used for notes Of higher de-
| nnnin akinns than $40 Pnrtrai ia