The House of Representatives was all set to grow: before it last week was a bill to increase its permanent membership from 435 to 438. Strongly backed by Speaker John McCormack, the measure would have saved for Pennsylvania, Missouri, and McCormack's own Massachusetts one seat each that would otherwise be taken from them as a result of the 1960 census. On the eve of the vote, a poll showed that some 300 House members were ready to go along with the plan.
But then, on the day of decision, the House came tumbling down.
What messed things up was an amendment offered by...
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