Samuel J. Randall

THE NATION'S LOSS. Wasihkotos, April 14.- It was a sad and touehing scène at the Randall reaidence on Capítol Ilill when Congressman Samuel J. Randall expired Sunday morning, just ais the bells of a neighboring ohurch were tolling 5 o'clock. Aro'und the bedside were gathered the famlly. the physiuian and PostmasterGeneral Wanamaker, all of whoin had kept a constant watch over the dying man during the night. A few momento before nis death he oponed his eyes, and, looking tenderly at his wifo, who knelt beside him, said in a low tone, "Mother," toe ende;iring term by which he always called bis wife when none but the family wai near. Ho looked into her eyes as if he were about to say something more, but he seemed to have no strength left, and in a few moments he passed away. Death came with the dawning of the day. The watchers saw that all was over, and the brave wife and daughter, who had nursed and cared for the statesman during his long illness, could restrain their feelings no longer, but gave way to their grief, while the physician and Mr. Wanamaker endeavoved to console them. Mr. Randall's illness dates back about flve years, when Dr. Mallan wa3 called in to treat him for the gout. July 9, almost two years ago, Mr. Kandall was Buddenly seized with a violent hemorrhage during the night, duo to hastily eating a dish of ice-cream and berries du+ing the day'. This hemorrhage was so gevere as to completely prostrate him, and hia life was in imminent danger. His disease began to assume an active form and it was found that he was suilering lrom an extensivo and maiignant abBcess. This oaused serious rhagcs, whieh greatly depleted nis system and left him weak and emaciated. He put himself pertnanently under a physician's care, raüiod, grew stronger and was getting on fairly well until last Kebruary, when he had a severe rigor, brought on probably by the weather. This rigor was aceompanied by severe abdominal pains and there were symptoras of peritonitis. From this time exhaution began to set in and the sick man's course was downward. A chili last week brought the case to a critioal stage. HIS LIFK AND CAREER. Samuel Jaekson ttandall was burn in the city ol Pnüadelphia Oetobev 10, 18B8. He received an academie education and for some time engaged in mercantile pursuits. His tirst appearance In public Hfe was a3 a member of the City Council of Phüadelphla, In which capacity he served for four years. In lsr;8-9 he was a member of the State Scnate o( Pennsylvania. When the war broke out he entered the army as a member of the Second United States CaTalry. Promotion carne rapidly to Private Randall, and he rose through the various grades to that of Colonel. On December 2, 1883, he took his seat in the House of Kepresentatives for the flrst time, not to relicquisu it except witn the last breath of hislife. His record as a Congresbtnan is that of the sjeady progress cf a ruggediy honest, determined. stroiiü-minded mau, The general outHne of his parliamentary career is wellknown throughout the country. He beeame a candidate fcr Speaker of the House in the Forty-fourth Congrts-, but was beaten by Michael C. Keir. of Indiana. His services to the party were rewarded with the chaiimauship ol the appropii it;ons committee. Speaker Rerr dying in office, bis mantle feil on Mr. Kandall when the House assembled on December 4, 1S70, for the short session. Ho was re-elected Speaker in thu Forty-flfth and ü'orty-smn oonfcresses, the Republtcans coming into power again in the Forty-eighth Congress. As Speaker ne presided over the House wlth ability and dignity und held control of the body at all times. He was cool and determined and qulck to see through and to avoid parliainentary pitlalls. He was taken siok two y3ars ag while at the heai of the appropriations cominittee. After a time he resumed his Congressional work, but the flre and torce of earlier years were largely exhausted. He dovoted the recess last summer to building up his system, and lookedforwardto the time when he should be ftgain able to take part in the proceodings of the House. It soon became apparent, however, that his strength would not permit him to exert himself and ho did not take his seat In the Fifty-first Congresa, the oath of office being admtnlstered to hlra at bis rosidence by the Speaker.