The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-08-10

The colored members of Congress
did not impress one as particularly
good specimens of their race, except
Bruce, the Senator from Mississippi,
who is very fine looking mulatto,
tall, stout and handsome. He is said
to be a Virginian by birth, and was
owned in early youth by the wealthy
Bruce family of Halifax County. He
seemed very popular with his col
leagues, and was frequently seen on
the avenue, walking with the white
brethren and evidently on pleasant
terms with them. From what | could
hear of him he must be man of I'M
common intelligence, who has studied
diligently since the emancipation to i'm
prove himself, and make up for his
early disadvantages. Bruce's speech
in regard to the legislation, or rather
the lack of it, necessary for the future
well being of the Africans in our coun-
try, was admirable in tone and express
sion, and presented pleasing con-
trast to the remarks of Mr.. Conkling
and other gentlemen, who still labor
under the effect of the color prejudice.
|
in one of the departments, told me an
incident connected with Senator Bruce,
which illustrates both the wonderful
changes wrought by the whirligig of
time, and the amiability which is ever the
characteristic of the long-suffering Afri-
can. While the notorious carpet-bag
government existed in Mississippi, very
heavy municipal taxes were leyieais
the towns, and some dispute arose BE-
tween gentleman, who had been one
Of the wealthy citizens of Bruce's dis
trict, and the Yankee Mayor Of the
town in which he lived in regard o the
collection thereof. The Mississppian
refused to pay his quota, becarse the
city had failed to make repairs neces-
sary to the preservation of the vail sur
rounding his grounds. The contro-
versy continued for some tim, until at
last, in the absence of the owner of the
property, deputies appointed by the
Mayor entered the house, md without
ceremony carried off the piano and
other pieces of furniture which were at
once sold for taxes. TIE family had
suffered many losses from the war, and
|
wife, so eXasperated the hot-headed
SOutherner that he went at once to the
Mayors office and shot him dead He
was tried by the authorities, and being
released on bail, at once left the State
| by the advice of his bondsmen. The
family moved to Baltimore, where they
lived in great poverty for Il while, and
the unhappy Mississippian sunk under
his many cares and died.
All this occurred some years ago,
and the widow had undergone many
trials and privations, when she reached
Washington some months since, with
her two little children, and attempted
to get an Office under the Government
She took board at the house where
my young friend was living, and after
vainly appealing for aid to sundry Dem
ocratic friends in high position, having
nearly exhausted her slender means,
was advised by my informant to ask
the assistance of the negro Senator
from her own State. The high born
Southern lady, who is described as very
handsome and refined in bearing, at
first shrank from the thought But her
! board-bill was nearly due, her purse
was nearly empty, and deeming her
cup of sorrow full to overlooking, she
accepted the offer of her new friend to
accompany her to the dreaded inter
view, and the two specimens of the old
noblesse went to the door of the Sen
ate chamber and sent in a card to Mr.
Bruce. The negro Senator appeared
at once, and my informant assured me
that the respect and courtesy of his
manner could not have been surpassed.
In response to the faltering request of
the unhappy lady for aid for herself
and her starving children, Bruce an
swered quickly, in tones of much feel
ing: Certainly, madam, [ will do all
in my power to aid you. When | was
slave, working on my masters plan
tatiOn, you were known as one of the
richest and most elegant ladies of the
country, and now that times have so
greatly changed for us both, | shall be
glad of an opportunity to serve you"
The eX-slave went at once to the de-
partments, and his efforts were so sue
cessfui that a few hours later the desc
late widow was rejoicing in her ap-
pointment to clerkship.-Cor. Spring.
feld Republican.