The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-04-14
Death Of samuel j. Randall.

All that is mortal Of the statesman
Samuel J. Randall, lies in his modest home
in Washington, near by the capitol in tbs
halls of which he was a conspicuous figure fol
so many years. The nation honored him in
life and mourns his death. He was a man
worthy TO be honored, and the profound
sorrow of all classes of people shows
how strong hold he had upon
the affsctionsof his countrymsn. Honest,
possessing ability of high order, and con-
scientious 10 the discharge Of every duty,
he made a reputation for usefulness that
has rarely been equaled. Whether a monu-
inent is raised to his memory or not he
will not be forgOttsa. He has a place in
history that will be his forever, and a place
in the hearts Of the people that will not be
sGrreadered soon to another.
Mc.-Randall was a consistent statesman.
He followed the line of conduct that he be-
lieved t. be right, and such was the conf
dence in ms truth and sincerity that he
retained in a marked degree the friendship
of his party friends who differed with him.
He was not in harmony with his party on
the tariff question, and yet he
was an honored and conspicuous
leader of his party. There were times
when his views on the tariff caused him to
be sharply and even harshly criticised, but
that be was whole-souled democrat, and
sincerely anxious for the triumph OF demo-
cratic principles and the success of the
Democratic party. no one ever doubted.
Mr.. Randall was three times elected
speaker. and never did an ADLER or a fairer
man occupy that high position. Courteous
and kind, but firm, he held the reins of power
with a steady hand, and enforced the rules
without fear or favor His decisions be
came precedents for the guidance of the
House, and his administrations model
for his successors in the speakers chair.
He made a fight against the force bill in
1915 that won him fame and made the
southern people his warm friends and en-
thusiastic admirers. He was just the man
TO oppose a bill of that kind. Possessing
great courage and an iron will, he never
yielded a point as long as there was the
least chance Of gaining it.
There have been public men who made
more brilliant regulations aud who won
greater applause from the masses, but there
have been few, if any, who had so great in
fiuence in shaping the legislation of the
country or who rendered the public greater
service
MIR. Randall died in harness, as it were
He was member OF the Thirty eighth con-
gress, and of each succeeding congress until
his death. He took no active part in the pres
ent congress on account of sickness, but he
watched the proceedings closely and con-
suited with the democratic leaders and with
the members of his committees In the
contest over the new rules he took very
active interest and helped to shape the
course Of the democrats.
1t was thought, up to Feb. last, that his
health was steadily improving. At about
that time he was attacked by the influenza,
then prevailing as an epidemic, and he be-
gan to decline steadily. He had a relapse
of the disease in the last part of March, and
within few days thereafter all hope of his
recovery was abandoned. Had it not been
for his strong con stitution aud his great
will power he would have died much sooner
than he did. He always had deep rever-
ence for the christian religion, and at the
time of his death was protesting christian.