New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-06-20
NO JEWS NEED APPLY.

With the merits of the personal quarrel be-
tween Mr. Joseph Scligman and Judge Hilton
the public has very little to do. Evidently
the two gentlemen cherish a cordial dislike to
each other, much older than the little dispute
which now fixes tho attention OF the fashiona-
bic world of Saratoga, and we have no desire
to Dry into the causes of it. The exclusion OF
Mr. Seligman, however, from Judge 1illtons
hotel is a matter of general concern. III Is
understood that he applied for accommodate
tons at the Grand Union Hotel in Saratoga
and was informed that the managers had N
structions from Judge Hilton to receive no
Jewish families bir. Hilton disclalms any
preiudice against Il" IsrGelitcs," but admits that
he objects to "Jews i'll the trade sense OF the
"wOrd," and prefers not to have them at MS
house. The Grand Union Hotel Ia intended to
be a house where the richest and most elabo-
-, ely decorated Christians can eat their dinners
and conc yet their piazza tlrtatons without the
danger IF brushing against anybody who he
longs to the old faith " in the trade sense OF
"thc wOrd.n The fancies of the customers
whom the Grand Union wishes tn attract must
he respected, and hence the order has been
giveu that Jews shall be discouraged when
ever they apply for rooms. Tie method OF
announcement adopted IN Mr.. Scligman's case
seems to have been to tell him that, being
dew, he could not come in and it was so
clIcctnal that he went away and wrote Judge
Hilton a letter such as fc would probably not
nave written except under the sting OF excite
ment.
Mr. Hilton is reported as explaining that the
"Jewsn whom he disiikes are those who attract
.etan tnftn a
"pnffed up vanity. an Ovcrwecning display OF
"condition, lack of those considcrate clyiiities
" so much appreciated by good American society,
land general obtrusiyencss that Is frequently
disgusting and always rcpulsivc TO the we'll
bred" AS these vices are quite unknown III
Christian society, we may now congratulate
ourselves that at least one hotel in the world
will be a little paradise of refined simplicity
and an academy of good breeding We pre-
sumo that the ingenious youth OF our country
will hereafter flock to Saratoga to complete
their education by taking lessons in deport-
ment from the guests of the Grand Union.
fatten their noses against the dning-roOm
windows III order to see how the select behave
at their meals, and long for admission TO that
elegant tavern as the subjects OF European
despots aspire to be presented at court.
As for Mr.. Seligman and the other outcaSts,
we trust they will not allow themselves to
suffer from that undue sensitiycness which is
apt to mar the happiness of so many of their
faith. If the proprietor OF the Grand Union
has made n mistake he will be the heaviest
sufferer from it himself and the Hebrew fami-
lies will have no difficulty in finding excellent
quarters elsewhere and all the attention and
civility they are able to pay for 1t Is GER
tainly not worth while to Try the effect of the
Civil Rights law in regulating the relations
between Israelites and hotel-keepers because
no gentleman has 80 little self-rcspect as to
force his custom unnecessarily upon host
who does not want it, nor indeed is IT possible
by any law, however stringent, TO settle ques-
ton like tins which can only be adj
iusted by the ordinary rules of trade
The dignifed and sensible course for those
who feel that they have been insulted at the
Grand Union oil account of their race or reli-
gion is to withdraw quietly and in body to
some establishment conducted upon II more
liberal and busness-like PLAN They may be
sure that the American people detrst unjust
and InyidiOus distinctions, especially when they
are based upon differences OF creed, and that
they will always respect people who respect