The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-07-27

AT0R BRUCE.
Correspondence Springfield Republican,
WASHINGTON, July 8.-The colored men,
bers Of Congress didnot impress one as par
ticuiarlv good specimens OF their race ex-
cept Bruce, the senator from mississippi,
who is very fine-looking mulatto, tall,
stout, and handsome. He Is said to be a
yirginian BY birth, and was owned in early
youth by the wealthy Bruce family OF Halt
fax county. He seemed very popular with
his colleagues, and was frequently seen on
the avenue, walking with the White oretn-
rem and evidently on pleasant terms Win
them. From what could hear OF MIN ne
must be man OF uncommon intelligence,
who has studied diligently since the eman-
eipatlon to improve himself, ana make up
for bis early disadvantages. Bruce>s speech
in regard to the legislation, or rather the
lack Of If. necessary for the future we'll
being OF the Africans in our country, was
admirable in tone and in expression, and
presented o pleasing contrast to the remarks
OF Mr.. Conkliug and other gentlemen VINO
still labor under the effect OF the Color
prejudice. :.
A Young lady who holds clerkshlp IN
one of the Departments told me an Incident
connected with Senator Bruce which illus
trates both the wonderful changes wrought
by the whirligig OF time. and the amiablilty
which is ever the characteristic OF the long
sufft ring African. While the abhorred car
pet-bag government existed in Mississippi
very heavy municipal taxes were levied IN
the towns, and some dispute arose between
a gentleman, who had been one OF the
wealthy citizens of Bruce's district, and
the Yankee Mayor" OF the town in which
he lived in regard to the collection there
of. The Mississippian refused to pay his
quota because the city had failed to make
repairs necessary to the preservation OF
the wall surrounding his ground. The
controversy continued for some time, until
at last, in the absence OF the owner OF the
property, deputies appointed by the May
or entered the house, and without cere-
mony carried off the piano and other pieces
of furniture, which were at once sold for
taxes. The family had suffered many loss
es from the war, and this act, when rea-
ted to him by his 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 III
great poverty for awhile, and the unhap-
by Mississippian sunk under bis many
cares and died.
All this occurred some years ago, and
the widow had undergone many trials and
privations. when sue reached Washington
some months since, with her two little
children, and attempted to get an ONCE
under the Government. She took board at
the house where my young friend was
living, and after vainly appealing for aid
to sundry Democratic friends in high po-
sition, having nearly exhausted her slender
means, was advised by my informant to
ask the assistance Of the negro senator
from her own State. The bigh-bor south
crn lady, who is described as very hand
some and refined in bcariug, 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
oycrflowing, she accepted the offer OF her
new friend 10 accompany her to the dread
ed interview, and the two specimens OF
the old no5IesSe went to the door OF the
senate chamber and sent in card to Mr.
Bruce. The negro senator appeared at once,
and nv informant assured me that the re-
spect 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 answered quickly, in tones OF much
feeling, Certainly, madam, will do all
in my power to aid you. When l was a
slave, working on my masters plantation,
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 Departments, and his efforts were
so successful that few hours later the
desolate widow was rejoicing in her ap.
po.ntment to a clerkship.