Brookings County sentinel. (Brookings, Dakota [S.D.]) 1882-1890, 1890-04-18

hAmuklS y. hANDALlA Ahchh AAS VA
pected TO be able to take his seat in the
house when congress met In December.
But when congress convened he was un-
able to leave his home. Subsequently
the oath of Office as a representative was
administered at his residence by Speaker
Reed and Mr. Randall was made men,
Der Of the committee on rules and appro-
priations--the two important committees
he had served on for SO many years
Mr.. Randall then hoped TO be able To
take his seat and participate actively in
the affairs Of the house at the conclusion
of the holiday recess, but the dreaded
and fatal malady from which he suffered
| slowly but surely made inroads on his
strength and each month as il passed
found him weaker. Mr.. Carlisle, his
associate i'm the committee Of rules and
Democratic members of the appropria-
| tions committee and other Democratic
representatives called frequently at MIR.
| Randairs home, to consult him about
party measures and committee work.
| Some Of them who called occasionally
| but regularly noticed that Mr.. Randall
was slowly failing physically, although
mentally he was as acute and vigorous as
! ever; and for the past two months they
| felt that he would never leave his house
alive. During the last few weeks of his
! life he suffered very much at times, and
| he had become greatly emaoiated. His
| devoted wife and children were untiring
| in their attentions all through his sick
| ness, and his friends in congress land he
had host of them Of both political
faiths contributed much toward his
| comfort by frequent friendly visits.
During his last hours his wife and fam
lily were constantly at his bedside. MIR.
Randall was unconscious at times during
the last day or two Of his life, and was
speechless toward the end. A few mo-
ments before his death he had opened
his eyes. and looking tenderly at his
wife, said in low tone, Mother. a
word instinct with all the fondest recol-
lections of their long and happy married
life, and by which he always called his
wife when none but tho family were
near. He looked into her eyes as if he
was about to say something more, but
he seemed to have no strength left, and
in few moments he had passed away,
Samuel Jackson Randall was born in
Philadelphia on Oct. 10. 1928 He came
into public life at very early age as q
Democrat and has never since been re-
tired, even temporarily. He served four
years in the common councils OF his ma
tive city. and one term -lSoS-59-in the
PENNSYLVANIA legislature as state SEN
ator Mr. Randall was first elected to
congress in 1862. n, commenced his
congressional life in December, 1868, in
the Thirty-eighth congress lin which
Hon. James &. Blaine served his first
term(, only two years after his old friend
but political opponent of thirty years
standing--the late William ID. Kelley
had commenced a career in congress
that lasted nearly thirty years. Mr..
Randall was returned at every succeed
election, and at the time of his death
had served twenty-six years in congress,
or through thirteen congresses. lie was
elected for fourteenth term, but
though he took the oath and qualified as
member he was not able, because
of failing health. to take his seat in the
present, congress. Mr.. Randall was q
candidate for speaker Of the Forty fourth
congress in 1875, but was defeated by
Michael c. Kerr, by whom he was ap
pointed chairman of the committee or
appropriations. At the second session
of the same congress Mr.. Randall was
chosen speaker. Mr. Kerr having dice
during the recess. Mr.. Randall was re
J elected speaker in the Forty.fifth con
cress in 1877. By reason of long servict
and close attention TO his duties Mr.
Randall beceme the most expert parlia
mentarian on the Democratic side of th,
house. In familiarity with the rules anC
all branches of parliamentary law, h
, perhaps had no superior IN either party
and as far back as 1875, when the grea
contest over the force bill took place a
the close of the Forty-third congress Mr.
Randall was by common consent assigned
che leadership of the Democrats.
Mr. Randall was poor man. He wa
twenty-six years an active member o