Evening journal., 1890-04-14

so keen that ordinary parliamentary cour
tesy to political opponent was the cause OF
severe party criticism, and for the last
month Of q session the speaker had to ex
ert all his .ity and strain to the utmost
his induenc, with his party to steer the shiT
Of state safuy. Through that exciting or
deal he passed. with pronounced success, OK
pediting in marked degree the settlement
OF the yexed question which agitated ths
country.
He was reelected speaker for the tive
following terms, serving in that position
until March 3, 1851, when the Republicans
took the house for a term. When tho Dem.
ocrats again obtained control OF the houst
the divisions in that party on the revenu,
issues led to his defeat for tho spaakershl
and to the election Of John G. Carlisle. Blu
Mr. Randall always ret aimed the command
ing position his talents had won for him ane
grew in reputation As speaker he was not
tender in the administration of his Office
He was a commander and ruled the hous,
with heavy hand. From the first Mr.
Randall was recognized in congress as
power and finally he became the recognized
leader Of his party
His High Tarln Attitude.
He served In turn on all the importan
committees-the committee on rules, OF
banking, on elections and on approp riations
Of which latter committee he was the chair
man and dominating spirit whom his party
was in power. For tho past few years tn,
stand which Mr.. Randall had assumed OF
the tariff question gradually alienated him
from the majority Of his party, both state
and national. and although no man i'm
peached his fidelity or sincerity to tho prin-
ciples Of democracy, this separation from
his associates had undoubtedly greatly
weighed upon his mind, and added TO the
other drains upon his physical system. In
appearance Mr. Randall was what might
be called peculiar man. His countenance
was rather boyish, but singularly winning
and attractive. His feet and hands were
small and shapely, but he had a way of
drawing up bis left shoulder that made one
Of his arms appear longer than the other.
Ia walking he stepped out briskly, with
shoulders little stopped, and gait that
was rather shambling. But though his en-
semble was striking, his dress added TO the
oddity OF his appearance. For more than
twenty-five years he wore the same style OF
clothing, and mo one ever seemed 10 have
seen him in a new suit of clothes. A cut
away coat thrown loosely back, baggy
trousers trife bunchy at the knees, and a
low cut vest, all with tinge Of ago about
them; immaculate linen, broad comfortable
shoes, and a remarkable hat completed his
attire.
He Died a Poor sTan.
Mr.. Randall was a poor man. He was
twenty-eight years a member of the house
yet no one has ever been found to reflect
even in the slightest degree upon his lnteg.
rity or honesty. He WAS PROBABLY poorer
in purse whom he died than when he came
to Washington away back In the Thirty
eighth congress. He owned the modest
resdencs ia which he lived on Capitol hill
IL is situated on q street and il not worth
more than 5000 The modest dwelling
represents the savings Of nearly half lie
| time. He made very little money outside
% his salary, ana, indeed had very little
time 70 spare from his public duties.
Proof AEainat the Lobby's Temptations.
The stories CLEANED from tho lobby as 10
unsuccessful attempts upon bis virtue as a
| legislator are only unparalleled by the
stories told by his friends as 10 the unyield-
ing front which he always presented to the
petition OF friendship when it ran counter to
his sense Of public duty. A lawyer who was
his bosom friend tells that he carried SiO.-
900 in bis pockets for months, having under
taken TO give it TO Randall as a retainer in
behalf Of a certain corporation, but could
never muster the courage to give it to him
or even broach the subject On one occa.
sion a wealthy blanket manufacturer, know
ing that Randall was a poor man, and hav-
ing profound admiration for him, sent him
a check for $500 saying that as an old friend
aud constituent he believed it his duty and
privilege TO make this subscription 70 help
pay his election expenses Tho check was
promptly returned with letter so curt that
il would have mortally offended any one
who did not make allowance for Randalrs
infirmity Of temper in this respect. When
asked once II he did not carry his indepond-
ence or indifference in such matters to an
extreme, he replied: "No, there is no middle
ground in such matters / draw the line at
the beginning His comparative poverty
is monument 70 his sterling integrity
Mr.. Randall scorned a public man who
appointed any Of his own relatives to office
His brother wanted a European consulship,
and be could have secured il for him. for he
was close to the administration at the time
But Mr.. Randall sturdily refused and did
the same thing with other relatives AZ the
same time no man was more loyal TO his
friends than he.
His Remarkable Retioence.
One Of Mr. Ranaall's peculiarities was
his remarkable reticence about himself and
his affairs About twelve years ago, when
his name first began TO be prominently mem
toned in connection with the presidential
nomination Of the DeAocratic party, a we'll
known newspaper correspondent who
wanted 70 compile his biography was sur
prised TO find no published data available.
He sought Mr.. Randall and asked him for
some Of the details Of bis early life, telling
him the purpose for which he desire them.
Mr.. Randall told him, in his blunt ay,
that he would find ali that was worth know
ing about him in the congressional direc-
tory.
The correspondent consulted that reposi-
tory % ths autobiographies Of statesmen
and was surprised to find that while the
records Of congressman hardly known out
side Of their own district contained between
500 and GOO words, less than 100 were en-
ployed to chronicle the record Of the man
who was the leader Of the house. AS another
instance of his reticence, IL is related that
just after the famous Oak View conference.
whore President Cleveland outlined his mes.
sage to Mr.. Randall, personal friend asked
him what he had heard about it. ~ did
hear,n was Mr. Randalrs laconic replv.
'that they got as far as free whisky 10
Mrs. Randall he was singularly devoted
In July, 1883, Mr.. Randall was suddenly
taken seriously i'll in Washington with hem
orrhage Of the stomach. During the previ-
GUS three months he had undergone several