The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-04-30

SAMUEL JACKSON RANDALL.
Samuel Jackson Randall is dead. The
great Democratic leader and statesman died
at 5O4 o'clock in the morning at his home in
Washington City. The end came peacefully
while the distinguished sufferer was CUR
rounded by his wife and children, Postmas-
ter-General Wanamaker and his medical at
tendants.
Mr.. Randall was victim Of cancer ct the
bowels. The malady seized him nearly two
years ago, and his sufferings have been i'll
tense. On many occasions his death was
thought to have been question of hours, but
his splendid physique enabled him to- ward
of the inevitable.
The story of the sick-room and the death
bed scene is peculiarly pathetic one: There
was not moment in the last three days,
before his death, when it was not be-
iieved that Mr.. Randall was at
the point of DEATH All of the last night
the patient Was attacked frequently by
sinking spells. Fits of hiccoughins followed.
Though unconscious q greater part OF the
time he was able to whisper his wants. Plum
preserves appeared to relieve him. Just after
O'Clock A. NJ. he was seized with violent
choking spasn. Postmaster General Wana-
maker sat at the bedside at the time, and DR..
Mallen fastened to his aid. The physician
removed large. piece Of phlegm from the
throat with his fingers, after which the pa
tient breathed more freely From that hour
on Mr.. Randalrs strength gradually failed.
Mrs Randall her two sisters, Mrs. Hyatt
and Mrs Swami, the. eI-Speaker's brother,
Robert Randall, his daughters, Mrs. Ian
caster and Miss, Susie Randall, his son,
Samuel J. Randall, Jr., and his son-in-law,
C. G.. Lancaster; and the Postmaster General
gathered about the deathbed just before-5'
o'clock A. NJ The patient convulsively seized
Mr.. Wanamaker's hand and pressed it with
all the strength he possessed. Mrs. Randall,
completely overcome, .knelt at the bedside and
sobbed as if her heart would break. Sud-
denly Mr.. Randall gasped. Hisdevoted wife
looked up. The dying husband and father
for the last time recognized her, whispering
the single word, "Mother." and as he uttered
the word his spirit had fled. Mrs. Randall
fell back into the arms Of the Postmaster
General and had to- be carried from the
| room.
Capitol the Stars, and Stripes were placed at
half mast on the roof of the House:
Early in the morning the President and
Mrs Harrison drove to the Randall residence.
Both did what they could to comfort the
afflicted family. Eice-President, and Mrs.
Morton Secretary and Mrs. Blaine, Secre-
tary Tracy and other members of the
Cabinet, as well as Senators and Representa-
tiyes. fiocked to the house, but few were ad-
mitted, and those who were not SIMPLY left
messages of sympathy.
Mr.. Randall came to Washington early IN
last November sick man, but with hopes OF
Improvement He expected to be able to take
his seat in the House when Congress met in
December but when Congress convened ne
was unabn to leave his home. Subsequently
the oath of Office as Representative was ad-
ministered at his residence by Speaker Reed,
and Mr. Randall was made member OF the
Comm tees on Rules and Appropriations, the
two important committees he had served on
for so many years.
! Mr. Randall Joined the Presbyterian
Church about two months ago. MIR. Wana-
maker spoke to him on this subject, and Mr..
Randall replied that he had been thinking
of this matter for some time and would Ike
to become a member Of the Church. Ar
ransements were made by which he entered
the Metropolitan Presbyterian Church, on
Capitol Hill, Dr.. Chester, pastor.
The news of the e1-Speaker's death spread
rapidly about Washington, though it was
Sunday morning, and general grief and SYM
pathy were expressed both in and out OF po-
litical circles The Sergeantat-Arms OF the
House at once took charge of the body and
of the funeral arrangements
Samuel jackson Randall was born in
Philadelphia on October TO- 1928. DE came
into public life at very early age as a
Democrat and has never since been retired
even. temporarily. He served four years
in the Common. Council of his native city,
and one. term-1S5S-59-in the Pennsyl-
vania Legislature as a State Senator. MT
Randall was first elected to Congressin in 1852
He commenced his Congressiona! hfe, IN
December. 1863, in the Thirty-eighth Con-
gress lin which the Hon. James 6. Blame
Served his first term, only two years. after
his. old friend. but political opponent Of thr-
ty years standing, the late William D:keney,
had commenced o. career in Congress tnat
lasted nearly thirty years. Mr.: Randall was
returned at every succeeding election, ana at
the time of his death had served tWenty-sl2
wears in Congress-, or through thirteen Con
oresses, He was elected fer fourteenth
f1erm hut though he.took the oath and quail
fled as a member, he. was not able because
of failing health,. to tako his seat IN tne'pres-
ent Congress.
Mr. Randall WAS a candidate for Speaker
of the Forty-fourtlD Gongressin 1870. bnt was
defeated by the Hon. Michael e. Kerr; oy
whom he was appointed CHAIRMAN oi .ne
Committee on Appropriations. AG que
second session OF the. same. Congress, Mr.:
Randall was chosen for Speaker-Mr. heti y
having died during the. recess. MI Rana.Ii aeaI
was reelected Speaker in the Forty-aath
Congress by, tho Democrats in 1871.
Nv reason OF loag service and close atseil'
tion to his duties Mr.. Randall became tht
most expert pariamentaran on the Deino
cratic side of the House. In familiarity wltt
tho rules and all branches OF parliamentary
law. he perhaps. he1 10 superior IN el.he'
oarty, and as far back Is 1915, When the
yreat contest over the Force bill took place
At the close of the Fort y-third Congress. Mr.
Randall was, by common consent assigned
the leadership Of the Democratic minority.
Perhaps the domestic side of Mr.. Randalfs
life waS the most attractive. While yet
young he married daughter of General
Aaron Ward, of Sing Sing, n. Y, men,
Der Of Congress at intervals from 1S2; to
lS43 She was in every sense of the word,
model wife. No man ever had more faith
tal or devoted helpmeet.
Few men were more successful than he III
carrying debate through to satisfactory
conclusion; but his strength lay more in the
dogged perseverance with which he piled up
indisputable facts and statistics than IN any
charm of manner or grace Of nratory.
Though SO many years IN the public ser
fice he was one of the poorest men IN Con-
bress. His worldly possessions consisted OF a
very plain residence on c street, near First
street, Capitol Hill, Washington.
Mr.. Randall entered the Civil War as a
private and rose to the rank Of Sergeant.
The wonderful clock Of Thomas Fitzsim.