The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-08-28
SMALL ADMITS
HE WAS DRUNK
Evangelist Collapsed In Course
Of Campaign Speech.
WOULD FIGHT JEERIRG CROWD
Incident win Surely Result In Election Of
Republican Nominee for Governor
Of Vermont
WOULD FIGHT JEERIkG CROWD


drunk" This was the Rev. Sam
smalrs laconic explanation OF his condi-
ton Monday night. when he collapsed In
attempting 10 make a political speech In
the interest OF Percival w. Clement. the
high license and local option candidate
for governor, at the auditorium.
The big audience left the hall after
scene OF disorder. in which Small's In
coherent remarks had been answered by
jeers and laughter. while he staggered
about the stage. The chairman OF the
meeting. Colonel C. A. Miles. led Small
from the platform and declared the meet
ing adjourned.
When Small was left In the hall Few
moments later, with two stage carpenters
of a theatrical company which is re-
hearsing here and one OF the employees OF
the theatre. the clamorings OF the crowd
which waited outside TO see Small emerge
from the stage entrance were heard by
the Georgia evangelist.
Small became angry and declared that
he would fight the crowd. One OF the
stage carpenters restrained him. Then-tne
two carpenters held him until he became
quiet.
EXIT BY THE FIRE ESCAPE.
With the assistance of the threatre en-
ploye they finally extinguished the lights.
took Small from the building by the fre
escape on the dark northern side and.
avoiding the crowd, guided him 20 mis-
hotel where he remained over night.
Nothing like the exhibition which was
seen IN the hall when Small collapsed has
ever taken place In Vermont. 1t was the
H.. b. ttrer
political campaign. Small had spoken only
a few words when he began TO Etasger.
His words which were spoken slowly.
| were little more than murnblee He re-
| peated himself many times and was
| generally incoherent.
THOUGHT 1T WAS MIMICRY.
He came into the state as the star
| speaker OF the high license cause. next to
| Mr.. Clement The chairman, In introduc-
| ing him, had told how high license and
| local option stood for temperance and
sobriety Then the band played Il Got
J Mine"
when Small began to speak the audience
| thought he was resorting to mimicry.
and that the point to a joke was coming.
Then the auditors began to wonder. The
leaders of the Local Option League. who
were seated upon the stage. slipped away,
one by one. The gallery crowd srasped
floor Of the house were aware OF the true
condition OF the speaker, and began 70
| shout and Jeer.
I'm my own state of Georgia." Small
| declared at one point. there are 562
saloons to one voter" The speaker con-
tinued his Wild statements. and soon there
| was great disorder. Many persons left
the house in disgust, and only small
portion OF the audience remained when
Small was led from the stage.
After admitting that he was intox-
icated Small said he had no excuses 10
make, and that he was alone to blame.
"AI there II to II, was or" he added.
| IN EXHAUSTED CONDITION.
Small came here IN an exhausted condi-
ton from the strain Of the campaignl
which has taken him on a speaking tour
into all parts OF the state in the last few
weeks. The explanation is that he TOOK
whisky to stimulate him for the evenings
speech.
After going into the warm and Gloss
hall. while the chairman was speaking ne
was soon overcome. He spoke In the at
ternoon at Putney, 10 miles north OF here
His effort there was not entirely above
suspicion. He then drove TO Brattleborv
| and drank whisky from a quart bottle
according 10 his driver. He did not drinH
more than one-third OF the hquor in tins
bottle.
Small is deeply mortified over the occur
renee. He went from here this morning
| to Barre. VT, where he was, scheduled lc
speak tonight Clements supporters here
believe that he ought not 20 appear al
any more rallies IN the state and have
so advised the managers OF the campaign
II Is believed that the incident viii
| surely result In the election of General
Mccullough. the Republican nominee FOR
governor