rwise have done.

"It is common to say that the House of Representatives is a very
turbulent and disorderly body of men. This is true more in appearance
than in reality. Those who look on and do not participate see more
apparent confusion than exists in reality. The disorder that often
appears on the floor of the House grows out of an 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 conscientious body of men than
compose this House of Representatives, in my opinion, ever met.
Partisan zeal has in some instances led to fierce word-contests on
the floor, but when the occasion which gave rise to it passed by,
party spirit went with it.

"I am very thankful for the considerate manner in which I have been
treated by the House in its collective capacity. I am also very
thankful to each individual member of this body for his personal
treatment of me. I shall lay down the gavel and the high office
you clothed me with filled with good feeling towards each member
of this House. I have been at times impatient and sometimes severe
with members, but I have never purposely harshly treated any member.
I have become warmly attached to and possessed of a high admiration,
not only for the high character of this House as a parliamentary
body, but for all its individual members. I heartily thank the
House for its vote of thanks.

"The duties of a Speaker are 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 onerous
duty and delicate task of recognizing individuals to present their
matters for legislation, render the office in that respect as
exceedingly unpleasant one. No member should have the legislation
he desires depend upon the individual recognition of the Speaker,
and no Speaker should be compelled to decide between members having
matters of possibly equal importance or of equal right to his
recognition.

"I suggest here that the time will soon come when another mode will
have to be adopted which will relieve both the Speaker and individual
members from this exceedin