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Samuel J. Randall Politician

Samuel Jackson Randall (October 10, 1828 – April 13, 1890) was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania in the late 19th century. He served as the 33rd Speaker of the House and was twice a contender for his party's nomination for the President of the United States.Randall was born in Philadelphia to a political family of Whig leanings, and shifted to the Democratic Party after the Whigs' demise. His rise in politics began with election to the Philadelphia Common Council and then to the Pennsylvania State Senate. Randall served in a Union cavalry unit in the American Civil War before winning a seat in the federal House of Representatives in 1862. He was reelected every two years thereafter until his death. The representative of a industrial region, Randall became known as a staunch defender of protective tariffs designed to assist domestic producers of manufactured goods. While often siding with Republicans on tariff issues, he differed with them in his resistance to Reconstruction and the growth of federal power. His defense of smaller, less centralized government raised his profile within the House Democratic caucus, and they elevated him to Speaker in 1876. He held that post until the Democrats lost the House in 1881, and was considered a possible nominee for President in 1880. Randall's support for high tariffs began to alienate him from most Democrats, and when that party regained control of the House in 1883, he was denied another term as Speaker. Randall continued to serve in Congress as head of the Appropriations Committee. He remained a respected party leader, but gradually lost influence as the Democrats became more firmly wedded to free trade. Worsening health also curtailed his power until his death in 1890.

Personal facts

Birth date	October 10, 1828
Birth place	Pennsylvania , Philadelphia , United States
Nationality	White American
Date of death	April 13, 1890
Place of death	Washington D.C. , United States

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