Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1879-02-04
Esrs, Senator Bruce.

Ever since the colorei Senator from Mlssls-
sippi, Bruce, brought his bride to the capital
Washington society has directed curious gaz'
upon Mrs. SsDatcr Bruce and wondered Whs:
part she would take 10 tie social lit, here
There wes no incorsiderab!e fear 10 some qu'r
ters that grave socisl quesnoa had a1lseo,
which would not orly create much uopeasaot-
ness but might bring out the color line 10 az
awkward relief. The social vapk Of Uoited
States Senator is rot to be disgegsrdeG: henos
tie position occupied By Mrs. Bruce was felt
to be delicate orc that called for consunmaic
tact 10 rcccsniziogit it. TSo mouths have passed,
however, aud there is not ripple upon The
social currcu:. The apprchcnsiors OF we'll
meaning persons have disappeared, aud yet
Mrs. Bruce has been received as q member OF
Washington society, aud her bearing eupha'I
calIy approved thereby. This result has been
largcIy brought about by the level headcdGCsS
of the co!oTed Senator himself, Speaking 10
cidentslIy ct this matter to your correspondent,
yesterday he showed hoR easily was BIS ME
made clear OF social enLaog!emeuts. Sad
he:-"Thc social question has never, bean
matter OF corc.rn 10 me sioca L was
elected to the Senate. Whcn came here L
made up m2 mind 10 let the society question
Aulusl lSGll mlloSuI aby VI IIS iotSAfSoN'Oe'
have never attempted 10 force my way lpto
society, aud in letting things take their natural
course havo nevcr had particle OF trouble.
| believe that i. is only the one who sce Ks
trouble from The color lloe' that iudj 1t and,
dismissiog oil IDEAS on tho raco question ffom
my mind, | fad ny social life passes smoothly
and pleasantly" The Senator's good seEs, 10
the matter having long been kooWn by his co-
leagues, even when be Wss . bachelor, bis card
basket vas filled With as ma1y cards OF lo1lts
.iou possibly as any Distinguished person here.
When Mrs. Bruce took up her residence here
the first person to pay her soca! respects to tho
bride was the wife Of the President. She WAS
so much pleased With Nrs. Brucs'5 ia1s!lke
bearing that she repeated her visit, and then
soon followed nearly oil Of tho Senator'S and
a large number Of members wives. Ot course,
the Cabinet leGies we're not bebindbaod 10
their respects, aud, as is the custom here,
a!tcr the wife Of the Secretary ct State had
by calling formally iuduoscd Mrs. Bruce
into Washington society," visits became gen
c.al-so much SO ia fact that time has
not allowed OF their being repaid. Every one
who has called ct Senator Bruce's residence, OF
No 900 NJ street where be has recently removed
frcm College Hill speaks in glowing terms @. his
wife. Her beauty ard wplIshneDts arc both
praised, and even these 'fho vent to see her,
more to crafty love OF curiosity than apythloG
else, accord her full need OF nrsisc. Mrs.
Bruce before her marriage was Miss Josephine
Wilson, daughter Of Dr.. Wilson, wcalthy reg
ident oil Cleveland, Ohio. She graduated With
hith honors at the Cleveland High School. and
speaks French and German fuenrly. She is Of
foe prcserc:; be. complexion is rich olive,
bcr hair jet black, slkcn 10 quality and lu:-
tfous in hue; eyes are full anu dark, and teeth
perfect. There is grace in her movements
that any lady might be proud Of, and, better
than all, there is quiet deoity 10 her manners
that bcspcaks the pcrfec: lady. She resembles
closely what ne all iusgioe bssu.iin! Spanish
lady to tc, aod 30 one coSDizlut Of hcr birth
ccud trace aDy signs Of African blood. have
often heard in the SGuth that these siCos were
uumistakablc. and 20 matter how fair IN com-
rIexion and how far removed from tho ucerc,
The marks Of African blood were always visible.
Mrs. Bruce puts such theories 10 flight. Seuato'
Bruce is OF the color designated ia the South
cs "saddie coIored," snd is $50 poundcr
-Wash. Car. Balt,morc Amcrican