Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va) 1886-1890, 1890-04-15

ana Nlr. NdTQdlI
SAMUEL. J, RANDALL was made a
member OF the committees on rules and
appropriations, the two important COM
mittecs he had served in 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 SUI
fered, slowly but surely made inroads
upon his strength and each month rs it
passed found him weaker.
Attentions to the Dying Man.
Mr.. Carlisle. his associate on the COM
mlttee of rules and Democratic mem.
Der of the appropriations committee,
and other Democratic representatives,
called frequently at Mr.. Randall's home
to consult him about party matters and
committee work. Some of those who
called occasionally. but regularly, no.
ticcd that Mr. Randall was slowly fail
ing physically, although mentally he
was acute and vigorous rs ever, and for
the past two months they felt that he
would never leave his house alive. Dur
ing the last few weeks of his life he suf-
fered very much at times AMI he had
become greatly emaciated. ~
His devoted wife and children were
untlring III their attentions all through
his sickness and his friends in congress
land he had Il host OF them of both
political faiths contributed much to-
ward his comfort by frequent friendly
visits.
During his last hours his wife and
family were constantly at his bedside.
Mr. Randall was unconscious at times
during the last day or two of his life
and was speechlesj toward the end.
To Mrs Randall he smiled last fond
look of recognition Il half hour before
his death.
Ihc Funeral.
Mr. Randall's funeral will take place
here on Thursday mo rnIng The ar
rangenIcnts for the funeral will be in
the hands of the congressional commit
tee to he appointed today. Mrs. Ran
dali prefers that the services be held in
the Metropolitan Presby terian church,
of which Mr.. Randall was member.
and not in the house of representatives.
After the funeral service the funeral
party will take special train over the
Pennsylvania railroad to Philadelphia
where the interment will take place in
the Randall family vault in Laurel Hill
cemetery Brief services will he held
there. The train is not expected to go
into the city. but will stop at the. Ridge
avenue church.
Mr. RaDdalps Career.
Samuel Jackson Randall was born in Phila-
delphia Oct. 10, 1898, and his career through
life justilics the assertion that lie was born
statesman. He received good academic
education and pursued his studies with the
intention of dcvoting his life to mercantile
pursuits After lie had finished his studies he
obtained u position IN the counting room of q
mercantile establishment, but in short time
his work became irksomc and he conceived a
distaste for the duties of II merchant.
His father, the late Josiah Randall, was one
of the active Democrats of Philadelphia, and
he inspired his son with desire to enter p0-
litical life, which feeling increased in intens-
ity as he attended conventions and meetings,
until he finally adopted 1t as tho calling most
suited to his taste. In 1856, accompanied by
his father, he went to Cincinnati, and assisted
at the convention that nominated Buchanan
for president.
Mr.. Randall was elected member of the
city council of Philadelphia which position
he held for four years. famliarizing himself
with city politics and making for himself ac-
ouaintances and record which were after
wards destined to push forward his political
fortunes. In 1853 he was elected to the Penn
sylvania state senate, of which he soon became
the most conspicuous member.
When the civil war broke out lie took strong
grounds in fuvor of the maintenance of the
union and while he differed with the admin
istration on many points of method, he was
one of the most steadfast supporters Of an
undivided country to the end. He was at
that time n member of the First troop, Phila-
delphia city cavalry, and volunteered, with
his command, under President Lincolns call
for troops and served the ninety days.
Elected to Congress.
In 1862 he was elected to congress fr ON the
Third Pennsylvania district and has been re-
elected to each succeeding session, serving
continuously since that time. In 1873, 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 that position. The party caucus, how
ever, decided against him and in favor of
Michael Kerr, of Indiana.
Then came what was probably tho most
delicate and trying period of Mr.. Randalrs
political career In 1876 he was elected
speaker at q time when the dispute about the
Tilden-Hayes presidential election excited
congress to q condition bordering on fury and
almost BROUGHT the country to the verge o.