The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-06-20
A Case Under the civil Rights
RiII

A Case Under the civil Rights
Bill.
NEw York, June 19.--The exclusion
OF Joseph Seligman, banker, from The
Grand Union Hotel, Saratoga, under the
operation Of the rule established by
Judge Hilton, succeaSor OF A, 7. Stewart,
excluding all Jews from the hotel, ocea.
Iions much comment Ia Jewish circles and
awakenS much interest in all other clAs.
Ses. Mr.. Lauterback, counsel Tor Selig.
man, says letters had poured in this morn.
ing from all sources, from co.religionists
and others, who included some Of the
most prominent men in the community,
condemning the policy adopted by Judge
Hilton. Mr.. Lauterbach said he believed
Judge Hilton was amenRble, ciyilly and
criminRlly, under the Civil Rights act, for
refusing a man admission to a public
house, Lauterbach says II is true that
Mr.. SeliEman was a member and also
President Of Mr.. Idleris Society Of Ethi-
cal Culture, but there was nothing in the
teachings or tenets Of that society which
initiated against seligman's being as he
was, and remained, a Jew In race and re-
ligiS,S Joseph Seligman's brother James
was a director Of the 9th Avenue Temple.
His brother Jesse was President Of the
Hebrew Orphan Asylum, the largest
Hebrew elemosynary institution in the
country. They were all prominently
connected with every Hebrew and other
benevolent projects. Judge Hilton sent
an oral message to-day 10 the Western
Associated Press that there was nothing
to add to his statement already publish
ed. .rr
Mr.. Seligman, while freshly stung by
his treatment, wrote letter 10 Judge
Hilton and sent copy to his brother
Jesse, with instructions to publish II at
once, but the latter delayed the publica-
ton, telegraphing his brother, who in
sisted that it be published.
The following isa copy Of the letter:
CLARENDON HOTEL, I
sar. - SARATOGA, June 10.
Judge Henry Hilton, care Of a. T. Sevarl &
Co., NcV York:
DEARJuDGE-My family have for many
years patronized the Union Hotel at Sar-
atoga, but were informed yesterday by
your managers that orders from head
quarters are 10 exclude all Jewish fam
lilies from the list Of guests. This person
alleging as reason that there existed
prejudice among Americana against the
people OF that persuasion which had in.
jured the Union 10 that extent last
season that headquarters proposed to
roust them out, namely, tell them all
without exception that all rooms except
thegarret chambers were engaged. Now
permit me, dear Judge, in your own in
terest and in the interest OF Mr.. Stewards
valuable estate, the lions share Of which
you seem 10 have acquired, TO say you are
adding 10 the many serious mistakes
which you have committed since you in-
heFited that estate by refusing admit
tance to the Union Hotel 10 large class
OF people, irrespective Of their re-
spectability, wealth and proper bear
ing, merely TO pander TO vulgar
prejudices, under the mistaken notion
that by 40 doing you will fill the house
with other nationalities. You Will find
yourself mistaken. You are no Judge Of
American character. The world is be-
ginning to be more tolerant in matters of
faith, Of creed or birth, than you would
believe or would have them. They de-
spise intolerance, low cunning and vul-
garity, and will not patrOnize man who
seeks to make money by pandering to
preiudices OF the vulgar. l regret that you
are running the Union at a Iosa. regret
that you are making no headway in your
Wholesale departments in New York and
in Chicago, and that even the 9th
street retail store, 10 popular and
prosperous under the management Of
tho late Mr.. Stewart, has lost its
best patrons. A little reflection must
show you that the serious falling of in
your business is not due to the patronage
Of any one nationality, but to a want Of
patronage Of all and that you dear Judge,
are not big enough to keep hotel nor
broad enough in your business views to
run dry goods store. You have tried
competition with experienced and popu-
lar houses in the manufacture OF carpets
and woolenS, Of silks and OF scores Of ar
icles OF minor Importance, and you have
succeeded in none, and you never will, and
| would respectfully volunteer an advice
for which l charge you nothing
although you once charged me
$4,000 for an advice which was worth
nothing. That if you want to save the
rest Ofthe once valuable estate of Mr..
Stewart that you advertise another large
auction and sell your merchandise and
your hotels to the highest bidder, and no
matter at what sacrifice you get rid Of
them, you will do better than by holding
on to things which yon can not intelli.
gently manage.
Trusting that you will avail yourself
OF this friendly advice, l remain, dear
Judge, yours very truly,
JOSEPH SELI0NAN.