The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1890-04-18
RLOOMSRURG pa FRIDAY ApRT - 1900

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stand which NJ. Ran dali had assumed on
the tariff question gradually alionated him
from tho majority OF his party, both state
and n1tional: and although no man i'm
peached his fleity or sincerity to the prin-
cples of democracy, this separation from
his associates had undoubtedly Rreatly
weighed upon his mind, and added to the
other drains upon his physical system. In
appearance Mr.. Randall was what might
be called IA peculiar man. His coun tenance
was rather boyish, but singulsrly winning
and attractive. His feot and hands were
small aud sh1psly, but h had a way of
drawing up his left shoulder that made one
of his arms appear longer than the other.
In walking he stepped out briskly, with
shoulders little stopped, and gait that
was rather shanbling. 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 no one ever seemed to have
seen him in new suit of clothes. A cut.
away coat thrown loosely back, bagey
trousers trihe buuchy at the knees, and
low cut vest, all with a tinge of age about
them immaculate linen, broad comfortable
shoes, and a remarkable hat completed his
attire.
He Died Poor Man.
MI ranuali was a poor man. de 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 integ-
rity or honesty. He was probably poorer
in purse when he died than when he came
to Washington away back in the Thirty
eighth congress. He owned the modest
residencs in which he lived on Capitol hill.
IL is situated on G street and is not worth
more than 5000. The modest dwelling
represents the savings of nearly half a life
time. He made very little money outside
of his salary, aud, indeed, had very little
time to spare from his public duties.
Proof Against the Lobby's Temptations.
The stories CLEANED from the lobby as to
unsuccessful attempts upon his virtue as a
legislator are only unparalleled by the
stories told by his friends as to 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 slO,-
600 in his 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 wealthy blanket manufacturer, know
ing that Randall was poor man, and hav-
ing profound admiration for him, sent h i'm
check for $500 saying that as an old friend
and constituent he believed it his duty and
privilege to make this subscription to help
pay his election expenses The check was
promptly returned with a letter so curt that
it would have mortally offended any one
who did not make allowance for Randall's
infirmity of temper in this respect. When
asked once If he did not carry his independ-
ence or indifference III 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
ID monument to his sterling integrity.
Mr.. Randall scorned a public man who
appointed any Of his own relatives to office.
His brother wanted European consulship,
and he could have secured it for him, for he
was close to the administration at the time
But MIR. Randall sturdily refused and did
the same thing with other relatives. At the
same time no man was more loyal to his
friends than he
His Remarkable Reticence.
One of Mr.. Randalrs peculiarities was
MS 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 Democratic party, q we'll
known newspaper correspondent who
wanted to compile his biography was sur
prised to find no published data available.
He sought Mr.. Randall aud asked him for
some of the details of his early life, telling
him the purpose for which he desire them.
Mr. Randall told him, in his blunt ay.
that he would find all that was worth know
ing about him in the congressional direc-
tory.
The correspondent consulted that reposi-
tory of the autobiographies of statesman
and was surprised to find that while the
records of congressman hardly known out
side of their own district contained between
500 and 800 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, it is related that
Just after the famous Oak View conference,
where President Cleveland outlined his mes
sage to Mr. Randall, personal friend asked
him what he had heard about it. II did
hear" was Mr.. Randall's laconic reply.
"that they got as far as free whisky" To
Mrs. Randall he was singularly devoted
In July, 1888, Mr.. Randall was suddenly
taken seriously ill in Washington with hem
orrhage of the stomach. During the previ-
GUS three months he had undergone several
very severe and trying surgical operations
in Philadelphia, which greatly impaired his
constitution. The hemorrhage developed
into inflammation of the bowels and his
condition rapidly grew worse. He never
fully recovered from this attack
By the death of Representative Kelley
Mr.. Randall was entitled to succeed him as
the "father of the house" by reason of long
est continuous service. 1t may be said of
him that he died in the harness-a public
man absolutely without stain.