The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-05
MIR. KEIFER's FAREWELL.


An Address Summarizing the Work Per
formed by the Forty-Seventh Congress.
WASHINGTON, March AIN the House, a
few minutes before II clock, Speaker Keifer
arose and said:
The time has come when our official relations
as representatives in the Forty-seventh Con-
gress are to be dissolved. In moment more
this House of Representatives will be known
only in history Its acts will stand, many of
them, it is believed, through the future history
OF the republic. On the opening day of this Con-
gress ventured a suggestion and the expression
of hope that It should be marked "pecuiarly as
a business Congress" IL has successfully grap-
pied with more of vital, material aud moral
questions of the country than its predecessors
Many of these questions have heen settled wise
ly and well by appropriate legislation. 1t would
be quite impossible at this time to enumerate
the many important laws which have been en-
acted to foster and promote the substantial ln-
terests of the whole country.
This Congress enacted into law the first 3 per
cent funding bill known to this country, and un-
der it a considerable portion of the debt has
been refunded at lower rates than ever before.
1t did not hesitate to take hold of the question
OF poly gamy, and it is believed it has struck the
first effective blow in the direction of destroying
that greatest remaining public crime of the age
law has been passed to protect the immigrant
on his way across the sea, and upon his arrival
at the ports of this country. law has been
passed TO extend the charters of banking institu-
tions, so that financial disorder cannot take
place, which would otherwise have come at the
expiration ,, of the old bank charters
lating to the Indian policy and the land
policy of this country which shall prove to be
wise. The postOfiice law has been so changed as
to reduce letter postage from three to two cents,
the lowest rate ever known in the United States
No legislation of this Congress will be found
upon the statute book revolutionary in charac-
ter which will oppress any section or indi-
vidual in the land. All legislation has been in
the direction of relief. Pension laws have been
enacted which are deemed wise and liberal.
Appropriations have been made to pay deserving
and unfortunate pensioners; internal revenue
taxes have been taken off and the tariff laws
have been revised. Sectionalism has been un-
known in the enactment of laws.
In the main, fraternal spirit has prevailed
among the members from all portions of the
Union. What has been said In the heat of
debate and under excitement, and sometimes
with prOvOcatlon, Is not to be regarded in de-
termnDg the genuine feeling of concord exist
ing between members, The high office have
filled through the sessions OF this Congress has
enabled me TO judge better of the true spirit of
the members that compose it than could other
wise have done. Ii is common to say the House
of Representatives is a very turbulent and dis
orderly body of men. This is true more ap-
pearauce than in reality. Those who look on
and do not participate more apparent con-
fusion than exists in reality. The disorder that
often appears upon the floor of the House
grows out of the earnest, active spirit possessed
by members coming from all sections of the
United States, and indicates in high degree
their strong individuality and their great zeal
in trying to secure recognition in the prompt
discharge of their duty, No more conscle ntious
body of men than compose the House of Repre-
zeal has, IN some instances, led to fierce word
contests on the floor, but when the occasion
which gave rise TO 1t had passed by, party spirit
went with 1t. 1 am very thankful for the con-
siderate manner in which have heen treated
by the House in Its collective capacity. am
also very thankful to each individual member of
th8 body for his personal treatment OF me.
shall lay down the gavel and the high office you
clothed me with, filed with good feeling towards
each member of this House. 1 have been at times
impatient and sometimes severe with members,
but have never purposely harshly treated any
member. 1 have become warmly attached to and
possessed of high admiration, not only of
the high character of this House as q parlia.
mentary body, but for all its individual mem
bers. heartily thank the House for its vote of
thanks. The duties of Speaker of the most
delicate and critical kind. His decisions are in
the main made without time for deliberation,
and are often very far-reaching and controlling
In the legislation OF the country on important
matters, and they call out the severest criticism
The rules of this House, which leave to the
Speaker the ouerOus duty and delicate task of
recognizing individuals TO present their matters
for legislation. render the office in tbat respect
an exceedingly unpleasant one No member
should have legi Station he desires
depend upon the Individual recognition