West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1890-04-24
HhMuKL IAcKsoN nANnALr..


great Democratic lender aud statesman died
at BIOi O'clock In the morning at his homo In
Washington city. Tho end came peacefully
while the distinguished sufferer was sur
rounded by his wifc and children, Postmas.
ter-Gcneral wanamaker and his medical at
tendants.
Mr.. Randall was a victim OF cancer of tho
bowels. The malady seized him nearly two
years ago, and his sufferings have been In
tense. On many occasions his death was
thought To have been question of hours, but
his splendid physique enabled him 20 ward
of the inevitable.
The story OF the sick-room and tho death
bed scene IL n peculiarly pathetic one There
was not moment In the last three days,
before his death, when u was not be.
lieved that Mr. Randall was at
the point Of death. All of the last night
the patient was attacked frequently by
sinking spells. Fits OF hiccoughing followed.
Though unconscious n greater part OF tho
time he was able to whisper his wants. Plum
preserves appeared to relieve him. Just after
| o'clock A. M ho was seized with violent
choking spasm. Postmaster General Wana-
maker sat at the bedside at the time, and DR..
Mallon hastencd to his aid. Tho physician
removed large piece OF phlegm from tho
throat with his fingers, after which the pa
tient breathed more freely. From that hour
on Mr. Rtndalrs strength gradually failed.
Mrs. Randall, her two sisters, Mrs. Hyatt
and Mrs. Swami the ex-Speaker's brother,
Robert Randall his daughters, Mrs. Ian
caster and Miss Susie Randall his son,
Samuel j. Randall, Jr and his son nin-lnw.
G. G. Lancaster and the PostmRster-G General
gathered about the deathbed just before 3
O'Clock A. NJ. The patient conV ulsiyely seized
Mr.. Wanamaker's hand aud pressed 10 with
all the strength he possessed. Mrs. Randall,
completely overcome, knclt at the bedside and
sobbed M IL her heart would break. Sud
denly Mr.. Randall gasped. isdevoted wifo
n a.
for the last time recognized her, Whispering
the single word, Mother" and ns he uttered
the word his spirit had fed. Mrs. Randall
fell back into the arms OF tho Postmaster
General and had to be- carried from the
room.
AS soon ns the sal news reached tho
Capitol the Stars and Stripes were placed at
half mast on the roof of the House
Early in the morning the President and
Mrs. Harrison drove TO the Randall residence.
Both did what they could 10 comfort the
afflicted family. Vice President and Mrs.
Morton, Secretary and Mrs Blaine. Score
tary Tracy and other members Of the
Cabinet ms well as Senators and Representa-
tives 1ocked 10 the house, but few were adj
mitted and those who were not simply left
messages Of sympathy.
Mr.. Randall came 10 Washington early In
last November a sick man. hut with hopes OF
improvement. He expected 10 be able to take
his seat In the House when Congress met IN
was unable to leave his homo. Subsequently
the oath OF office as n Representative was adj
ministcred nt his residence by Speaker Reed,
and Mr.. Randall was made n member OF the
Committees ON Rules end Appropriations, ,the
two important committees hs had served on
for 50 pnny years.
Mr. Randall Joined the Presbyterian
Church about two months ngO. Mr.. Wana-
maker spoke tO him on this subject, and Mr.
Randall replied that he had been thinking
80 f,.rS trnp and would ike
20 become member Of the Church. Ar
rangements were made 10y which ho entered
the Metropolitan Presbyterian Church, ON
Capitol Hill, DR.. Chester, pastor.
The news of the ex-Spoaker's death spread
rapidly about Washington, though IL was
Sunday morning, and general grief aud sym
pnthy were expressed both I'm and ont OF pO-
litical circles The Sergeant-Rt- Arms of the
House NJ once took charge OF tho body and
Of the funeral arrangements.
sketch Of Mr. Randairs Career.
Samuel Jackson Randall was born in
Philadelphia on October 10, 1923. He came
into public life at very e1r1y age as u
Democrat, aud has never since been retired
even temporarily. lie served four years
In the Common Council OF his native city,
and one term--ls5s-59-in tho Pennsyl-
yania Legislature as state Senator Mr..
Randall was first elected 10 Congress In 1852.
He commenced his Congressional life in
Il IffffnNfIs 1000 III Nlf AUfIIT -NiENAN AOll~
gress dn which the Hon james q. Blaine
served his first term, only two years after
his old friend. hut political opponent Of thir-
" years standing the late William u. Kelley,
had commenced career ia Congress that
lasted nearly thirty years Nv Randall was
returned at every succeeding election, and NJ
the time Of his death had served twenty-siK
years in Congress or through thirteen Con
gresses lie was elected for a fourteenth
term. but though he took the oath and quali-
Il u d ~. -.
Of failing health, 90 take his seat In the pres
| cnt Congress
Ne Randall was n candidate for Speaker
| Of the FOrty-fourth Congressin 1915, but was
defeated by tho Hon. Michael &. Kerr by
whom he was appointed Chairman of the
| Committee ON Appropriation. AZ the
second session of the samc Congress, Mr.
Randall was chosen for Speakcr--Mr. Kerr
having died during the recess Mr.. Randall
was reelected Speaker in the Forty fifth
Congress by the Democrats in 1877.
BY reason Of long service and close atteu-
| ton 70 his duties Mr.. Randall became the
| most expert pariiamoutarian ON the Demo.
cratic side Of the House. IN familiarity with
the rules and AT branches Of parliamentary
law ne, perhaps hal no superior in either
party, and as far back as 1875, when the
| great contest over the Force bin took place
| AZ the close Of the Fort y-third Congress Mr..
| Randall was by common consent assigned
the leadership Of the Democratic minority.
| Perhaps the domestic side oi MI. haudais :
/ life was the most attractive. While yet
/ Young he married a daughter Of General
| Aaron Ward Of Sing Sing, ". Y, mem
| Der Of Congress NJ intervals from 1927 10
| 1S43 She was. in every sense Of the word, q
/ model wife. No man ever had r more faith
i ful or devoted helpmeet
Few men were more successful than he I'm
| carrying n debate through 10 n satisfactory
i conclusion; but his strength lay more I'm the
| dogged perseverance with which he piled up
Il indisputablo facts and statistics than IN any
l charm of manner or grace Of oratory.