The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-02-16
MRS. SENATOR BRUCE AGAIN.

CURIOUS WHISPERS FROM THE NATIONAL So
GETTY GALLERY.
The Washington correspondent of the Louisville
Courier Journal writes of Mrs. Senator Bruce fol-
lows:-
Helen Of Troy not greater disturber Of the
peace did she give rise to more gossip and
twaddle than the wife Of the colored Senator from
Mississippi does. AS long Bruce remained un-
married his Senatorial unrufiied. His
brother Senators accorded him the courtesy of the
Senate, which total oblivion as to his presence
among them. 1t was almost forgotten fact that
the colored had representative in the Senate.
Social recognition was not thought Of and
SO little was known Of the private life Of
the Senator that when his marriage was an
nounced it surprised every one, as they supposed
he already had . wife. Newspapers have ascribed
great beauty and accomplishments to Mrs. Bruce.
and the attempt has been made to endow her with
more culture than that OF any lady in Washington.
Ever since her advent in this city male correspond
ents have been determined to keep her before the
public and stir up commotion in the social world.
It was reported that Mrs. Hayes had invited Mrs.
Bruce to receive with her on New Years Day The
reception took place minus Mrs. Bruce. Then the
ndefatgable apple of discord men called at the resi-
dence of the lady just to see who was there and
how Madame appeared. This was chronicled in the
most sensational style. Next it reported that
Mrs. Hayes had called and pleased with Mrs.
Bruce that she had called second time aud invited
Mrs. Bruce to the White House. The writer had not
the fear before his Of the ready contradiction to
this as there is no point OF etiquette SO rigidy OBJ
served as the rule which forbids the lady of the
White House from making any calls. II this fact
were not sufficient Mr. Bruce's vote on the New York
nominations would clearly indicate that there is
social recognition of himself wife at the Execu-
tive Mansion. Had Mrs. Hayes stepped aside
from her rule of non-intervention and called
upon Mrs Bruce and invited her to the
lunch which she recently gave to fortyfour ladies'.
there is doubt that senator Bruce would have
ton 1t is not kind friendly for any to advo-
cate the social recognition Of Mrs. Bruce. 1t APP
parents live there. She was educated at Oberlin
College, and at the time Of her marriage teach
ing colored school in Cleveland. No one in
Cleveland visits the family. and the three times
that l met the Association of Ohio Teachers
at their annual meeting at Put-in-Bay neither
Mrs. Bruce any colOred man woman
was with the noble seven hundred. spirit
of mischief has caused some correspondents
to keep continually proddng Senator and Mrs. Bruce
to themselves socially. Two ladies from Bos:
ton, who were stopping temporarily At one OF the
hotels prompted by shere curiosity to call upon
not mention this visit to any in the hotel. and
Of the ladies absented herself upon the regular
reception day at the hotel. 1t a fine Monday af
ternoon. and the red parlor full of elegantly
dressed ladies' receiving the highest ton OF the city.
"Mrs. Senator Bruce, called ont the usher.
colored in dress coat. white gloves
and neckte. The buzz Of conversation ceased
and there was dead silence. Mrs. Bruce
who is said to enamel, richly dressed in velvet,
with a white bonnet and white veil over her face.
She asked for Mrs. Leopold Morse and Mrs. and Miss
French The latter ladies' who were present received
her gracously and made her welcome Well! Per-
haps it is best not to reveal the sequel: but there
was some lively and spirited conversation that
ing in the hotel and if the public is interested to
know what has been said there is quite variety of
opinions and comments to select FROM for
am bound to confess that the ladies not
unanimous 1t is affirmed that the code of etiquette
requires that the additions to the Senate have to
cali upon the older ones and that Mrs. Bruce
prompt in performing her duty. and that the calls
have been returned. have not met either Senator
Bruce his wife, am sorry that am not able to
crafty the curiosity Of the public as to her personal
and mental attractions. only know that the wife
of a Congressman deeply affronted because some
one asserted that Mrs. Bruce appeared much better
than half of the wives OF Congressman.