relief which the banks extended to the country in the hour of peril. I wish to render my homage to the banks for their patriotism at that trying hour. They acted like corporations that had souls. They acted like patriots in their advances to Government in its hour of need; and they have received an abundant reward in the large interest they have received, and in the dividends they have thereby been able to divide among their stockholders. Are there not others, however, who have made sacrifices for their country in the hour of peril? My constituents have offered their living treasures on the altar of the country as the banks risked their golden treasures. But my constituents have no exemption from the payment of taxes, although their sons have been stricken down on the battle-field. They pay their burdens. They pay them cheerfully. Everywhere before them I sustained the principle of the Tax bill. I vindicated it; explained it; defended it. And though I knew its imperfections, I told them that if they struck me down for voting for that Tax bill, even with all its imperfections, they might do so. But these inconsistencies and errors I shall always vote to correct when opportunity offers.

"Now, I have said all that I desired to say. We tax all branches of business that the Committee of Ways and Means, with its great acumen and diligence, could hunt up to pay taxes. They found this session a few that they had omitted last session, and they have incorporated them in the amendatory tax bill. We compel the use of stamps all over the country, so that if two farmers trade horses, and there is a note given

for the difference, that note must have a stamp affixed, although they may have to travel twenty miles to the country town to get one. Our constituents are willing to bear all this. They do not condemn the Administration or Congress for it. They do not assume that this is an act of hostility against them. So we say the banks ought to bear their portion of the burdens of the war, and pay without a murmur this tax of one per cent. on their circulation for the next two years. If during that time it is shown that two per cent. would be too high for succeeding years, it can be modified. I do not vote for it to crush banks, but as a revenue measure, and to equalize the burdens of taxation."

Here the whole secret of his public action is stated -the good of the country. He is always ready to lay aside his private wishes and opinions for the sake of the country, which is to him far dearer than himself.

The postal service also received his careful attention. New routes were established, providing the most remote States and Territories with ample mail facilities, and bringing all parts of the country within easy communication with the National Capital. He also procured the passage of a bill, making the rates of postage on letters and newspapers uniform all over the country, changing the compensation of Postmasters from varying commissions to fixed salaries; establishing the free carrier system, which is now working admirably in all our large cities; reducing the rate of postage on returned dead letters, and making many

other important and valuable changes and reforms. His arguments in favor of the bill were clear and forcible, and are interesting as presenting a useful statement of the postal system of the country.*

* See Appendix, VII.

CHAPTER VII.

Meeting of the 38th Congress-Mr. Colfax elected Speaker-Statement of the Vote-Remarks on taking the Chair-How the Speech was received-Conduct as Speaker-Measures of the 38th CongressMoves to expel Mr. Long, of Ohio-Speech in support of his Resolution-Debate in the House-A sharp Colloquy-Fairness of Mr. Colfax-Close of the Session-Remarks of the Speaker-Second Session of the 38th Congress-Mr. Colfax's Conduct as Speaker-Resolution of Thanks-Remarks of Messrs. Cox and Dawson-Adjournment of Congress-Address of Mr. Colfax.

THE First Session of the Thirty-Eighth Congress met on the 7th of December, 1863. Soon after the House was called to order by the Clerk, Mr. Washburne, of Illinois, moved "that the House now proceed viva voce to the election of a Speaker of the House of Representatives for the Thirty-Eighth Congress." This motion being agreed to, Mr. Washburne said,

"Mr. Clerk, I nominate for Speaker of this House, Mr. Colfax, of Indiana."

This nomination was greeted with a burst of applause, which neither the time nor the place could restrain, and the House, after the other nominations were made by the Opposition, proceeded to vote viva voce, with the following result, which was announced by Mr. Pendleton, of Ohio, on behalf of the tellers:

Whole number of votes cast, 181; necessary to a choice, 91; of which

The Clerk then announced that Schuyler Colfax, one of the Representatives from the State of Indiana, having received a majority of all the votes given, was duly elected Speaker of the House of Representatives for the Thirty-Eighth Congress, and this announcement was again the occasion of enthusiastic applause from the galleries and the floor. It was evident that the new Speaker was to commence his administration under the most favorable auspices.

At the suggestion of the Clerk, Messrs. Dawson, of Pennsylvania, and Cox, of Ohio, conducted Mr. Colfax to the Chair. Taking his place at the Speaker's desk, Mr. Colfax then addressed the House as follows:

"Gentlemen of the House of Representatives: Today will be marked in American history as the opening of a Congress destined to face and settle the most important questions of the century; and during whose existence the rebellion, which has passed its culmination, will, beyond all question, thanks to our Army and Navy and Administration, die a deserved death. Not only will your constituents watch with the strictest scrutiny your deliberations here, but the friends of