Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1890-04-16
samuel j. Randall.

loses one of its ablest and most influential
members. His consummate skill as a par
Humanitarian, his strong character and IN
domirable will. intellectual force, thorough
information upon public matters and abso-
Lutte integrity combined to make him
leader of men But for the unfortunate
difference between himself and his party
upan the tarif-his stubborn antagonism 10
the policy which he honesty believed to be
a mi.taken oue-his position at the hea0 oil
the Democratic forces in the House would
have been unquestioned until his death II,
indeed. he had not been called to the presi-
dency. His faith in Democratic principles
was unwaveung, and, though an advocate
of protective tariff, he denied the right Of
Congress 70 levy taxes beyond he necessary
amount for government support. He was
a true and powerful friend Of the South in
the trying period which followed the war,
aud the Southern people will always remem-
Der his services with gratitude.
Samuel Jackson Randall was born IN
Philadelphia. October 10, 1928 His father
was Josiah Randall, lawyer of high stand
ing in that city. His mother was daugh-
ter of Gen. Jos. WorreIl Democratic
leader in the days of Jefferson. Receiving
m academic education he engaged in mer-
camille pursuits His wife was a daughter
of Gen. Aaron Ward, of Sing Sing, y. Y.
He served four years in the city council of
Philadelphia, and one term in the State
Senate Of Pennsylvania. During che war he
was a member of the First Troop, Phila-
delphia Cavalry, was quartermaster TO the
company. and was afterward promoted to
the rank of cornet. He and his troops were
ON one occasion thanked for their services
in the field. At the converting OF the
Thirty-eighth Congress, in 1861 Mr.. Ran
dali took his seat in the House of Repre-
sentatives. and has been re elected to every
succeeding Congress, covering a period of
twenty-five years in the Thirty-eighth
Congress be served on the committee OF
public buildings and grounds; in the Thir-
ty-ninth on the committees on banking and
currency. retrenchment, and expenditures
in the state Department; in the Fortietb
on banking and currency, retrenehment aud
the ASSASSINATION of President Lincoln.
Without making tiresome speeches he at
the same time displayed his interest in the
pending legislation by making short AID
p,intei addresses. In the Forty first Con
rres, he was a member of the committee on
PRIVILEGES and elections and expenditures
in the Treasury Department and Of the
Joint committee on retrenchment. lie spoke
against population December l6, 1869, in
reply 30 Mr. Munger, saying that 1t was a
political hefesy. and that it would place the
country i'm a dishonest attitude before the
world. He expressed the belief that the
country could and would pay the enormous
debt. In the Forty-second aud Forty third
Congresses he served on the committees on
banking aud ousrency, postoffices and post
roads and rules, and was one of the most
Influential members of the minority. His
triumphant leadership in the two days and
all-night's contest TO prevent the force bill'
from going 10 the Senate in time for action
on il brought him trstiHto great prominence.
When the Democrats came into power
AZ the opening of the Furty-fourth Con
gress. in December, 1915. Mr.. Randall was
made chairman of the committee on apprO
priations. He devoted himself to the work
OF retrenchment, and succeeded in cutting
down the appropriations many millions. in
giving summary of what he had accom-
pli,hed ia the way of retrenching, August
Il. 1876, he closed with these words 81 be-
lieve the real, natural, safe aud permanent
way to resumption of specie payments j. in
the reduction of the expenses of the gov
ernmeut 10 what is needed by an economi-
cal administration. Human foresight, in
my judgment, cannot tx the exact hour or
day when il shall take place.
On December 4, 1875, Mr.. Randall was
elected Speaker to succeed Mr.. Michael o.
Kerr. deceased. On taking the chair at
that critical time he said Westand in the
presence of events which strain and test to
the last degree our form Of government.
Our liberties, consecrated by 50 many sacri-
fees in the past, and preserved amid the re-
joicings of an exultant people at our cen
tennial anniversary as 0Ge among the na-
lions of the earth, must be maintained al al
hazard. The people look confidently to
your moderation, to your wisdom, in this
time frausht with 50 much peril. Let us not,
beseech YOU, disappoint their just expec-
tations and their keen sense of justice, but
by unceasing vigilance let us prevent even
the slightest departure from the constitution
and the laws. forgetting in the moment of
difficulty that We are the adhereuts of party
and only remembering that We are Ameri-
can citizens with a country to serve 1t
was parity owing to bis determined spirit in
maintaining such sentiments that the ,aF-
bulent factions in the House were held in
check and the results of the electoral COM
mission Quietly acquiesced in As he ex-
pressed it in his yaledictory at the close
of this Congress. The Democratic party
yielded temporary possession of the admin