The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1890-04-17

! hopes of Improve
SAMUEL ]. RANDALL. -ment. He ex-
pected TO he able to take his seat In the
house when congress met in december.
But when congress convened he was I'M
able to leave his home. Subsequently
the oath of Office as representative was
administered at his residence by Speaker
Reed and Mr.. Randall was made mem
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 it passed
found linn weaker Mr.. Carlisle, his
associate in the committee of rules and
Democratic members of the appropria-
tions committee and other Democratic
representative called frequently at MIR.
Randall's home, to consult him about
party measures and committee work.
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 emaciated. 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
speeches. 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,"
word instinct with all the fondest recol-
lections of their long and happy married
life, and by which be, always called his
wife when none lee the family were
near. He looked INFO her eyes as if he
was about to say, something more, but
he seemed to have no strength left, and
in a 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
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 -1S5o-59-in ths
Pennsylvania legislature as state SEN
ator. Mr.. Randall was first elected to
congress in 1869. He commenced his
congressional life in December, 1868, in
the Thirty-eighth congress Gin which
Hon. James q. Blaine served his first
term(, only two years after his old friend
but political opponent of thirty years.
standing-the late William d. 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. He was
elected for a fourteenth term, but
though he took the oath and qualified as
a member he was not able, because
of failing health. to take his seat in the
present congress-. Mr.. Randall was
candidate for speaker of the Forty fourth
congress in 1915, but was defeated by
Michael G. Kerr, by whom he was APP
pointed chairman of the committee on
appropriations. At the second session
OF the same congress Mr.. Randall was
chosen speaker, Mr.. Kern having died
during the recess. Mr.. Randall was re-
elected speaker in the Forty.fft con.
gress in 1877. By reason of long service
and close attention to his duties Mr..
Randall become the most expert parlia-
mentarian On the Democratic side of the
house. In familiarity with the rules and
all branches of parliamentary law, he
perhaps had no superior in either party,
and as far back as 1875, when the great
contest over the force bill took place at
the close of the Forty-third congress Mr..
Randall was by common consent assigned
the leadership of the Democrats.
Ir. Randall was poor man. He was
twenty-six years an active member of
the house yet no one has ever been
found to reflect even in the slightest de-
gree upon his integrity or honesty. He
was was probably poorer in purse when
he died than when he came to Washing.
ton away back in the Thirty ghth con-
gress. He owned the modest residence
in which he lived on Capito! Hill. It
is not worth more than $4,000, and rep
resents the savings of nearly half life
time Out of his salary he always met
the expenses incident to his cleo
ton; and while these were COM
paratively light, and would pass
the seyerest scrutiny they were. never
theless, heavy drain upon his meagre
income. He made it Uniform practice
to return all contributions made by
friends towards these expenses, which,
with characteristic independence, he
preferred to bear himself rather than
place himself under obligations to any
one. When asked, once, if he did not
carry his independence or Indifference
in such matters to an extreme, he re-
piled: "No; there is no middle ground
in such matters. draw the line at the
beginning" His comparative poverty is
a monument to his sterling integrity.
By the death of Representative Kelley,
Mr.. Randall was entitled to succeed him
as the "Father of the house." by reason
of longest continuous service. 1t may
be said of him that he died in the har-
ness, public man absolutely without
STAIN