Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-04-17
RANDALL SEEKS THE BEYOND
The Great Statesman and Orator
Passes From Earth.
General Mourning Over the Grave Of
Noble Citizen.
A Brief Sketch Of His Useful and
Brilliant Career.


morning Of the 18th instant, at his resi-
been long and rainful. He died from an
internal cancer.
In his last moments he was attended by
his devoted wife, his daughters and his
son Samuel He came to Washington in
November sick man, but hoping to be
able to take his seat in the house in De-
cember. When congress convened he was
unable to leave his home The oath of
office as representative was administered
at his residence by Speaker Reed, and he
was made member of the committee On
rules and appropriations on which he had
served for many years. Mr.. Randall
then hoped to be able to take his seat but
the malady from which he suffered con-
tinued its inroads on his strength, and
each month found him. weaker. Mr..
Carlisle, his associate on the committee of
rules and the democratic members of the
appropriations committee, and other
democratic representatives called fire.
quently at his home to consult him about
party matters and committee work. To
them it was evident that he was steadily
failing physically, although mentally acute
and vigorous, and for the past two
months they felt that he would
never leave his house alive. Daring the
last few weeks of his life he suffered much
and became greatly emaciated His wife
and children were untiring in their at
tentions all through his sickness, and his
friends in congress and he has host of
them of both political faiths contributed
much to his comfort by frequent friendly
visits Mr. Randall was unconscious at
times during the last day or two of his
life, and was speeches. toward the end.
DR.. Mallan, who had been holding his
pulse, with wet eyes made the announce
ment which he had hoped might be post
poned for many years. Postmaster General
Wanamaker and Robert Randall were
with the family at the end.
He died murmuring the word moth
err" the term he bestowed on his affection
ate wife.
His Public Service.
Mr.. Randall was born in 1928 His
father was a lawyer and a prominent
democrat and Randall quite early took an
interest in politics. His first position in
public life was as member of the city
council of Philadelphia. At the beginning
of the civil war, Randall entered the mill
tary service in the Light Horse of Phila-
delphia. In 1868, he was among the
troops advanced to Harrisburg, as the re-
suit of Gen. Lees invasion of northern
territory. His rank was that of cornet.
In the summer of the same year Randall
made brilliant reconnaissance in which
he captured several prisoners and estab-
lished the presence of the confederates in
force between Chambersburg and Will
Transport. During the battle of Gettys-
burg, his rank was that of provost mar
shall of Columbus.
He was two years member of the state
senate of Pennsylvania He was then
elected from district composed of eight
wards of the city of Philadelphia. He was
elected to congress IA times and served out
19 full terms
For twenty-six years he gave his labors,
without single abstracting pursuit, to
No 5ional legislation. That was the bust
ness of his life, and no other employment
could tempt him to abandon it. In COM
mercial affairs Mr. Randall could readily
have received far greater recompense for
his services than his salary as a represen-
tative in congress, but although poor
man, he spurned these opportunities.
He lived simply. His home in Wash
ington was an humble one. He was de-
voted to his family and a man of the hap
pleSU domestic ife. =
Great GarIiam entaI'ian.
When he entered congress, the republi-
cans were in control. He devoted himself
closely to business, studied the situation,
and gave his attention assiduously to
parliamentary law. In a short time he
became skilled in parliamentary rules and
procedure and a master of the whole course
of Irrational legislation.
His Power as Leader.
His leadership in congress was early es-
tablished. He had been tower of strength
to the country in divers emergencies. As
member of the committee on banks and
banking, he steadily opposed all legisla-
ton looking to the reputation of the war
debt, and introduced a resolution declaring
that every cent, principal and interest of
the debt, and every obligation of the gov
eminent should be paid according to their
terms. He also opposed the proposition to
force the government to pay the rebel war
debt, and his action upon these two propo-
sitionS brought him conspicuously before
the country and placed him amoung the
democratic leaders of the day. Although
binary sense, he spoke as a leader;
and no man was ever listened to more in
tensely.
He was forcible in the discussion of ma
tional finances. and the care he took to
fortify himself in that legislation involved
prodigious labor. The history of every
financial measure that had engaged the
attention of congress was studied by Mr.
Randall and every bill mastered John
Sherman once said that Mr.. Randall was
equipped to assume the duties of secretary
of the treasury and administer the office
without a moments embarrassment
Mr.. Randall declared as early as 1867
the government was paying its debt too
rapidly, by excessive taxation, and insist
ed that the true policy was to cut away
war taxes, refund the debt rapidly,
reduce interest. and bring the revenues
within the limits Of an economical admin
istration. Perhaps Mr.. Randall greatest
parliamentary victory was that which re-
suited in the defeat of the force bill The
force bill was the last effort of radical re-
publicans to gain supremacy in the south
ern states. The republican majority in
congress was overwhelming and Mr.
Blaine was the speaker. The contest last
ed three days and three nights. The dem
ocratic members remained at their desks.
Mr.. Randall frequently drinking a cup of
tea or coffee as he interposed parliament
tary objections The debates lasted until
a few hours before congress adjourned.
when the republicans acknowl lodged their
defeat
At the beginning of the last session of
the Forty-ffth congress. Mr.. Randall was
elected speaker, and filed the Office for
three successive terms. He was firm, Just
and prompt in his rulings. During the