Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1890-04-17
RANDALL SEEKS THE BEYOND.
The Great Statesman and Orator
Passes From Earth.
oarsral Mourning Over the Grave of
a Noble Citizen.
Brief sketch of His Useful and
Brilliant Career.

-,,orriug of the l1i n instant, at his resi-
Inc IN Washinstom His illness has
Ssan long and Tainful. He died from an
In his last moments he was atten led by
his devoted wife, his daughters and his
IN, samuel He came to Washington in
November a sick man, but hoping to be
aba 10 take his seat in the house in De-
esnber. When congress convened he was
0nabe TO leave his home. The oath of
oFice rs a representative was administered
AZ bis residence by Speaker Reed, and he
,ras made a member of the committee on
r,,iss and appropriations on which he had
sorvad for many years. Mr.. Randall
.bsr boped to be able to take his seat but
The malady from which he suffered cou-
t;nned its inroads on his strength, and
s.rb month found him weaker Mr.
Carlisle, his associate on the committee of
niles and the democratic members of the
CONCENTRATIONS committee, and other
Democratic representative called fire.
ouantly at his home 70 consult him about
oartv matters and committee work To
mem il was evident that he was steadily
falling 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
teptioDs all through his sickness, and his
friends in congress he has a host of
them of both political faiths-contribut
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 speechless toward the end
Or. MalIan, 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
er the term he bestowed on his affection
ate wife,
His Public Service.
Mr.. Randall was born in 1923. 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-
deIphia 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
shal Of Columbus.
He was two years a 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
l3 full terms.
For twenty-six years he gave his labors
without a single abstracting pursuit, to
national 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-
tatlve in congress, but although poor
man he spurned these opportunities.
He lived simply. His home in Wash
lngton was an humble one. He was de-
voted to his family and man of the hap
pest domestic life
Great Parliamentsrian.
When he entered congress, the republic
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 killed in parliamentary rules and
procedure and a master of the whole course
otnatlonaI legislation.
His Power as Leader.
~ leadership in congress was early es-
tdoIShed. He had been tower of strength
% the country in divers emergencies. As
2 member of the committee on banks and
oanNng, he steadily opposed all iegisa-
yen looking to the reputation of the war
Qfbt and introduced resolution declaring
'aat 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
i9rce the government to pay the rebel war
ae9t and his action upon these two propo-
Nuons brought him conspicuously before
tle country and placed aim amoung the
9,emocratlc leaders of the day Although
hr Randall was not an orator in the or
binary sense, he spoke as a loader;
aha no man was ever listened to more in
tense.y.
lie was forcible in the discussion of ma
ona. finances, and the care he took to
irt.ty himself in that legislation involved
f'1I-iou' labor The history Of every
'hsnaa. measure that had engaged the
.'4gl non Of congress was studied by Mr.
lhaHdaI and every bill mastered. John
sherman once said that Mr.. Randall was
Pped TO assume the duties Of secretary
ne treasury and administer the Office
",'at a moment s embarrassment
ar Randall declared as early as 1867
government was paying its debt too
ly hy excessive taxation, and insist
.-' the true policy was to cut away
W.T. taxes, refund the debt rapidly,
i.4 interest and bring the revenues
the limits of an economical admin
.on Perhaps Mr. Randalls greatest
atary victory was that which re-
D. the defeat Of the force bill The
a-. Vas the last effort of radical re
n' 20 gain supremacy in the south