pass to the question of

I now proceed to inquire

I now reiterate

I object strongly to the use

I observe, then, in the first place

I only ask a favorable construction of

I only marvel

I only wish you to recognize

I open the all-important question

I ought to give an illustration

I own I can not help feeling

I particularly allude to

I pass on from that

I pass then to our second division

I pause for a moment to say

I pause to confess once more

I pay tribute to

I personally know that it is so

I pray God I may never

I predict that you will

I prefer a practical view

I presume I shall have to admit

I presume that I shall not be disbelieved

I proceed to another important phase

I profess

I propose briefly to glance at

I propose, therefore to consider

I protest I never had any doubt

I purposely have avoided

I question whether

I quite endorse what has been said

I rather look forward to a time

I readily grant

I really can not think it necessary to

I really do not know

I really thought that you would excuse me

I recall another historical fact

I recognize the high compliment conveyed

I recollect hearing a sagacious remark [sagacious = sound judgment]

I refer especially

I refuse to believe

I regard as an erroneous view

I regard it as a tribute

I regard it as a very great honor

I regret that I am not able to remember

I regret that it is not possible for me

I regret the time limits me

I regret this the less

I rejoice in an occasion like this

I rejoice that events have occurred

I rejoice to think I remark here

I remember a reference made

I remember an intimation

I remember full well

I remember the enjoyment with which

I remember to have heard

I repeat, I am not speaking

I repeat my statement in another form

I respectfully counsel

I respectfully submit

I rest my opinion on

I rise in behalf

I rise to express my disapprobation [approbation = warm approval; praise]

I rise to thank you

I rise with some trepidation

I return, in conclusion, to

I return you my most grateful thanks

I said a little way back

I said it would be well

I said that I thought

I salute with profound reverence

I sanction with all my heart

I saw an ingenious argument the other day

I say frankly

I say in moderation

I say it is extremely important

I say it most confidently

I say no