ured the suggestion
and the expression of a hope that it would be marked 'as peculiarly
a business Congress.'

"It has successfully grappled with more of the vital, material,
and moral questions of the country than its predecessors. Many of
these have been settled wisely and well by appropriate legislation.
It would be quite impossible at this time to enumerate the many
important laws which have been enacted to foster and promote the
substantial interests of the whole country.

"This Congress enacted into a law the first 3 per cent. funding
bill known to this country, and under it a considerable portion of
the government debt has been refunded at lower rates than ever
before.

"It did not hesitate to take hold of the question of polygamy, and
it is believed it has struck the first effective blow in the
direction of destroying that greatest remaining public crime of
the age.

"Laws have been passed to protect the immigrant on his way across
the sea and upon his arrival in the ports of this country.

"Laws have also been passed to extend the charters of the banking
institutions so that financial disorder cannot take place, which
would otherwise have come at the expiration of the old bank
charters.

"Many public acts will be found relating to the Indian policy and
the land policy of this country which will prove to be wise.

"The post-office laws have 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
books, revolutionary in character or which will oppress any section
or individual 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 the deserving and unfortunate
pensioner.

"Internal-revenue taxes have been taken off, and the tariff laws
have been revised.

"Sectionalism has been unknown in the enactment of laws.

"In the main a 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 provocation is not
to be regarded in determining the genuine feeling of concord existing
between members. The high office I have filled through the session
of this Congress has enabled me to judge better of the true spirit
of the members that compose it than I could othe