The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-12-28
TEMPERANCE NOTES.
Z SAM SMALL ON TIPPLING.
The Temptations Which Constantly Assail
American Newspaper Writers.

The Temptations Which Constantly Assail
American Newspaper Writers.
Upon the whole" said Rev. Sam w.
Small formerly ''Old 81" of the Atlanta
Constitution, but now famous evan
gelist and Temperance orator of the
Sam Jones type, to a reporter of the
Detroit Free Press, ''if there is any
excuse for intemperance on the part of
any class of men on Gods green foot
stool, the large crops of bright and en-
thusiastic American newspaper writer's
should come in for the full benefit of the
doubt. Only God and the members of
the profession are aware of the tempta-
ton to which such workers are sub
jected. l was for years one of them,
and l feel qualified for speaking with
authority upon the subject. l think if
therecording angel ever drops tear upon
his big book, as he is popularity credited
with doing upon frequent occasions, the
splotch is the biggest when one of these
poor newspaper fellows yields to temp
tations which are so constantly in his
path. The long series of years which l
put in as a member of the working news
paper fraternity are imprinted upon my
memory as are no other years of my
entire life. They were filled to
overlooking with the fitful fever and ex-
element of rapid existence. l am now
we'll aware of the fact that what l then
called pleasure and enjoyment was based
upon hollow shams and unreality; but
it was all very real and glittering to me
in the old days. The newspaper report
er may start out in the morning firm in
the resolve to be true to his God and his
manhood all through the duties of the
day. He has not gone far, however, be-
fore he meets man whose chief desire
is to get his name in the paper This
individual links his faShionably-clad
arm within that of the news-gatherer
and heads for the nearest saloon, simply
as a preliminary to what is to follow
The reporter will probably offer some
sort of feeble resistance generally
did, unless l happened to be very thirsty
but it invariably fails to secure him
release from the web of temptation that
is closing about him. If the object is of
sufficient Importance, the tempter will
usually order a quart bottle of sparkling
champagne, of which he is careful that
his victim shall receive little more
than half. The result can readily be
imagined My poor head was seldom
proof against the fumes of champagne
even in the days of my most constant
drinking
This is subject worthy of the
prayerful consideration of all Christian
people. AS | have learned to regard
the ma tier since my reformation, |
should unhesitatingly advise all news
paper workers to retain their sobriety
and moral respect. l was as bad as any
of them in the old Atlanta Constitution
days. So was Joel Chandler Harris
(''Uncle RemusO. Many and many
time have we drank pint of whisky
apiece between supper time and the
hour for going to press. | have often
gone in to my desk in the evening so
blinded with drink that | would have to
grasp something firmly with both hands
to keep the room from swimming round
and spilling me overheard, and then
written couple of columns or more,
with my poor head the size of light
house tower. Oh, know all about it
and God knows! have lots of sym
pathy for the newspaper boys. The me-
chanic can go into his workshop in the
morning and not be exposed to single
emptation all day long, but it is all
very different with the outside newspa-
per worker Harris swore off before |
did, and neither of us touched drop of
any thing intoxicating for years, but we
swore off reportorial work on daily pa
pers about the same time. NV heart
goes out to newspaper reporters, and |
do all in my power to lead them from
the dangerous paths into which they
are so frequently called. The members
of the Detroit Light Infantry visited
our city during my drinking days, and
Captain Dupont or any of the boys will
be able to give vivid description of
what | then was"
Mr.. Small had grown so earnest in his
theme that he glanced entirely over the
top of the gold-rimmed spectacles which
rode astride of his rather prominent
nose, while his long, slender fingers
worked nervously about the extremities
of his luxuriant, dropping, brown mus
tache. He is thin almost to attenua-
ton, but the imprint of genius is
stamped upon every feature.