New-York tribune., 1874-09-10
hotels AND TRAVELERy RIGHTS.

HAVE RESPECTABLE LADIES WHO, PROM CHOICE OR
NECESSITY, TRAVEL ALONE, ANY RIGHTS WHICH
HoTEL-KEEPERs ARE BOUND To REsPECTF
TO the EdftOr Of The Tribune.
SIR: On Thursday last, lady residing at De
troit a daughter OF late United States Senator and
person OF culture and high social standing came 10 TINS
city to spend few days. she had been visiting friends
IN Massachusetts, and stopped here on her way home
Being widow she travelled alone from necessity rather
than choice.
She arrived late in the afternoon and went to the
Metropolitan Hotel, which she reached at about
O'clock servant met her at the carriage door ana
conducted her TO paror of the hotel ana by him she
sent message to the clerk, requesting that room
might be assigned her for a few days. The servant
returped with card and pencil. and she gave
her name and address, and asked 10 see the
clerk. message was returned that the clerk
yould see her presently. She was kept waiting ten or
fifteen minutes when. instead of the clerk the servant
again presented himself and said he was instructed 10
inform her that they could give her rcom as they
had none for her; that the hotel already tu or all
the rooms engaged. she saw that this was mere pre-
tense and mortified alarmed. aud indignant she pro
tested against being thus turned into the street. ana
pleaded for the shelter protection and refreshment
which she needed and for which she was aDundantly
able and willing TO pay Again she asked 10 the clerk
That important functOnary would not condescend to
sneak with her. and she was told pointedly that she
could not remain
Not knowing her rights, she saw no way open'to her
but to submit patiently she might TO so great an
udignIty, and. overwhelmed with chagrin ana north
cation she LETT the hotel scarcely knowing whittier TO
turn had not the courage to try at another hotel
after such repulse from the Metropolitan. Fortunately
she remembered that acquaintance OF former years
was living 10 Brooklyn and there long after dark she
sought and found hospitality. gentleman whom she
met there hearing her story, determined TO ascertain
whether that at this quiet time the Metro
poitan Hotel fun 1t could not furnish accommo
datons for one guest He accordingly went there
engaged without the slightest difficulty and re-
mained there during the night He saw no indication
that the house FULL and told by the clerk for
he took pains make particular Inquiry that they had
plenty Of room for more guests.
This is but one incident of many OF this kind. ]
am told they OF frequent occurrence. One which
occurred several years came TO my personal knOw
edge lady residing at the West OF standing and
character and modest and unassumng in appearance
came TO visit friends In Brooklyn The train by which
she came and which should have reached New-York by
daylight was delayed and did arrive until late
night Through some misunderstanding none OF her
friends the depot TO moet her. and she did not
know how to fad them at night She accordingly
went to the Astor House and asked for q Senator
Grimes OF Iowa, with whom she was slightly acquainted
happened TO have arrived the hotel the time,
and seeing her alone he volunteered TO secure room
for her. long delay ensued which she did not under
stand, and which caused her much uneasiness; but
finally room assigned her. The SEN
ator afterward informed her that 1t was
with much difficulty that he succeeded in inducing the
propretors OF the Astor House TO allow her TO remain
during the night. and that he finally succeeded by
making cause his own, and fatty telling them they
her out OF doors But for his opportune
intervention che would doubtless have been compelled
O'Clock at night TO appeal to the police for shelter
protection. Now, what happened TO these ladies may
tn wifi AM laHV in
the land who may be compelled TO travel alone To
charscterize such treatment when bestowed upon any
woman Of modest and respectable appearance and who
ia not known TO dsreputabe outrageous and bar
barous. is In my Judgment, 10 speak temperstcly.
But my purpose In addressing YOU Is not 10 hurl