Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1890-04-17
To Be Buried Thursday.
HIS LONG AND FAITHFUL SERVICE.

cemetery.
HIS LONG AND FAITHFUL SERVICE.
He Was Modest, UnassUm;ng and Yet an
Acknowledged Leader-Duty and Not
ambition Guided Him-His Influence
Wonderful Factor.
Samuel Jackson Randall was born in
Philadelphia, Oct. 10, 1928, and his
career through life justifies the asser-
ton that he was born statesman. He
received a good academic education and
pursued his studies with the intention of
devoting his life to mercantile pursuits.
After he had finished his studies he OBJ
tanned position in the counting room of
mercantile establishment, but in a
short time his work became irksome and
he conceived distaste for the duties of
merchant
His father, the late Josiah Randall,
was one of the active Democrats of
Philadelphia, and he inspired his son
with desire to enter political life, which
feeling increased in intensity. as he at
tended conventions and meetings until
he finally adopted it as the calling most
suited to his taste. In 1856, accompanied
by his father. ne went TO Cincinnati, and
assisted at the convention that nomi-
mated Buchanan for president
Mr.. Randall was elected a member of
the city council of Philadelphia, which
position he held for four years, familiar
izing himself with city politics and max
ing for himself acquaintance and a
record which were afterward destined to
push forward his political fortunes. In
1853 he was elected to the Pennsylvania
state senate, of which he soon became
the most conspicuous member.
When the Civil War Broke Out,
he took strong grounds in favor of the
maintenance of the Union, and while he
differed with the administration on
many points of method, he was one of
the most steadfast supporters of an un-
divided country to the end. He was at
that time a member of the First troop,
Philadelphia City cavalry, and yolun-
teered, with his command, under Presi-
dent Lincoln's first call for troops, and
served the n naty days. In 1862, he was
elected to congress from the Third Penn
sylvania district and has been reelected
tinuously since that time. In 1875, when
the Democrats gained control of the
house for the first time since 1861, his
friends tried hard to have him elected
speaker, knowing that he possessed the
qualities to essentially fit him for the
position. The party caucus, however,
decided against him, and in favor of
Michael G. Kerr, of Indiana. Then came
what was Drohah1y the most
Delicate and Trying Period
OF Mr.. Randall's political career. In
1876 he was elected speaker, at time
when the dispute about the Tilden- Hayes
presidential election excited congress to
condition bordering on fury and
almost brought the country to the verge
of another civil war. Suspicion was so
keen that ordinary parliamentary cour-
tesy to political opponent was the
cause of severe party criticism, and for
the last month of the session the speaker
had to exert all his ability and strain to
the utmost his influence with his party
to steer the ship of state safely.
Through that exciting ordeal he passed
with pronounced success, eXpediting in
marked degree the settlement of the
vexed question which agitated the coun-
try. While he could filibuster when
necessary to defeat bill he considered
very bad, he was quite able to choke off
obstruction when the country was in
peril from it.
He Was Reelected Speaker
for the two following terms, serving in
that position until March 3, 1881, when
the Republicans took the house for a
term. When the Democrats again OBJ
tained control of the house the divisions
III that party on che revenue issues led
to his defeat for the speakership and to
the election of John G.. Carlisle. But
MIR. Randall always retained the COM
manding position his talents had won
for him. and grew in reputation. As
speaker he was not tender in the ad-
ministration of his office. He was
commander and ruled the house with
heavy hand. While he was thoroughly
conversant with the rules and always
judicial in his decisions, he frequently
denounced in vigorous and emphatic
language the unruly behavior of some
of the members. He was leader in the
chair as well as on the floor, and when
he grasped the gavel he welded rod of
iron. From the first Mr.. Randall was
recognized in congress as power, and
finally he became the
Recognized Leader of His Party.
He served in turn on all the important
committees-the committee on rules, on
banking. on elections and appropriations,
of which latter committee he was the
chairman and dominating spirit when