Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1890-01-11

the night of July 10. For several weeks
following this his case was very critical,
and was further imperled on election
day by his exposure in going to the polls
TO cast his vote for Cleveland.
Mr.. Randalls political work will best
be remembered by his position on the
tariff. He was the leader of the con-
servative element of his party on this
issue, and about two months before he
was stricken down in 1888 made his
great speech on that question and one
that marks his tariff record.
Mr.. Randall. as speaker Of the house,
ruled with heavy hand. An incident
of his canvass for the speakership shows
the character Of the man, a character
that distinguished all his public career.
A railway mugnate said to him: ''Mr.
Randall, you want to be speaker. It is
in my power to elect whom l please,
and you know 1t. Allow me to name
majority of the Pacific railroad com
mittee and you shall be the man. Will
you do it?"
"No."
sis that your last word?'
eyes"
"Then you will not be speaker"
But he was, all the same.
Mr.. Randall began public life at an
early age. He was born in Philadelphia
in 1928 and received academic and mer-
camille training. He was at the convcn-
ton that nominated Buchanan, and was
city councilman four terms and after.
ward state senator. AS member of the
ia la
volunteered for campaign in 1861, and
was elected to the Thirty eighth congress,
taking his seat in 1868. From that time
forward he represented the only Demo-
cratic district in Philadelphia; one, too.
that gave Republican presidential candi-
dates majority.
The principal workshop of the ex-
speaker was at his home on g street,
Washington. His offices were filed with
documents and papers, with but few
books. His clerical work was done large
ly by his own hands.
He was not a social man and had few
intimates. He dined out occasionally,
but rarely attended theatre or church.
ing, but his principal recreation was his
work and his family circle.
Mrs. Randall is the daughter OF the
late Gen. Aaron Ward, Of New York
city. An incident of Randalls southern
trip Of 1S84-Sj is often recalled by his
Kentucky friends as illustrating the in.
nuence of Mrs. Randall in the sphere OF
her husbands public life. 1t occurred at
Winchester, KY, when, although it was
Sunday, two or three thousand people
had gathered at the depot to meet the
train. A brass band was present, and
amidst great cheering and drumming
Mr.. Randall appeared ON the rear Of the
car and made speech. Soon the crowd
began to call for Mrs. Randall, and the
delighted congressman, pleased with all
this display Of Kentucky enthusiasm,
hastened into the car where she sat.
"Come, mother" he said, "just show
yourself ut the car door. People are
calling for you. They want to see your
face. Just step TO the door and bow to
them"
"Do you know, SAM" she replied
edo you know that this is Sunday, and
that it is wicked and outrageous thing
those people are doing? You ought to
be ashamed of yourself. shall not &c
out"
Very greatly taken aback, Mr.. Randall
returned and faced the crowd again.
"Fellow citizens" he said, "Mrs. Ran.
dali desires mo TO express her thanks to
you for your hattcring kindness in wish
ing to see her, and to say that she is too
i'll to appear"
Mr.. Randall is u man Of striking per
sonal appearance His boyish looking
face, smoothly shaven, was long con
| spicuous on Capitol Hill. His dress wal
what would be called old style. That Is
he did not change with the fashions, bu
wore the same cut of garment in 1885,
| that he did in 1SG3--a cutaway coat
baggy trousers, low vest broad shoe
and remarkable full crowned hat. III,
was good walker, and when in Wash
ington covered the four squares inter
vening between the Capitol and his hom,
! in remarkably short time. This was bi
custom regularly, when not troubled
with the gout, of which his dining on
occasionally gave him touch. Then IA,
spun rapidly over the car tracks in
coupe. His carriage was well knowi
among the capital vehicles. When hi
influence was at its height the wags uset
TO say, on seeing the famous carriage a
the door of any Of the departments .
government:
There goes another Philadelphia maj
into Office"
notwithstanding his long and activ
career, Mr.. Randall did not acquire
fortune, His home. like all his sul
roundiurs is platO To sippiiCity.