Arkansas weekly mansion., 1884-04-19
EX-SENATOR B. X. BRUCE EN-
ROUTE TO THE CAPITOL.

On Friday. April llth, just five weeks
after he passed through here. Register
bruce arrived in the "City of Roses for
the nrst time IN fourteen years. The re-
ception here was not what it would have
been, bad it not been in the midst of po-
litical excitement and the death of some
very prominent citizens. The ex-senator
WAS met at the depot by Hon. NJ. W. Gibbs
and Henry Simkens of the .Msnslop, who
occupied the foremost carrla age. which con-
veyed the distinguished visitor through tbs
principal street, calling Mt she telegraph
ONCE: then via thu. Aa.~io Office 10 the
private residence of Hon. M. w. Gibbs,
followed by several carriages containing
the reception committee, among whos,
were: Messrs. J. f. Rector, 5. G.. Garrett,
F.. A. Fulton, C. W keats, w. A. J. Phil
lips, DIR. j. II. Smith. Il. Il. Morgan, aud
others. All met at Judge Gibbs and spent
the evening eating, drinking, smoking and
talking over the days of yore. The Sena-
tor seemed to enjoy himself nobly with his
people. He was not what great many of
us thought he was; his manner was pleas
ant, kind and agreeable to all that met him.
We are sorry that we unintentionally mis-
represented him, and no doubt, prejudiced
the minds of a great many against him.
Though the Senator in his kind way,says:
eyes, understand how it is," no one ex-
cept public servant at the Capitol under
stands what a man has to contend against.
SO many incompetent applicants and
many again malcontents are always around
the offices OF public men, which give us
very oftimes threadbsre patience, and we
treat good men as we are compelled to treat
bad ones. He said that he rather the gov
ernment should enforce the civil service
reform bill, as it would rid him OF having
to answer a large number of complaints
over which he had no control. He says no
vacancy ever occurs In tho treasury depart
men: that the secretary hasn't person to
I'LL it before it 10 vacated; hence he hasn't
got tho placing of any person OUT of his
immediate department, under the civil SER
vice reform system. No one has the plac-
ing nor picking of who shall fill the places
until he receives his notice according to
his examination papers on file at W ashiug
ton. 1t is just As apt to be a democrat as q
republican.
During tho day SATURDAY.. ar-So.~tur
rUwon CIsyton, Col. Logan H. Roots, III.
N. Cooper, Judge c. c. Waters, c. f. Kel-
soy, Prof. j. r. Rightsell, and a large num-
Dor of leading republicans called on the
Senator and they had fine time. In the
afternoon the Judge took the Senator out
riding, sightseeing, which he enjoyed very
much.
On Sunday, at 10 4. M, the Senator, ac'
-osnp~~iea by J~ts-- sf&,',-. ss~~o the Mum
sion office 1a''. The Ssnstor was highly
pleased at our prospects for ultimate snr-
cess, and was surprised to see that we was
doing SO we'll. Now It may be recorded
that we have buried the hatchet, helve and
all.
At p. m. In company with Judge Gibbs,
the Senator attended the funeral OF Robert
II. Jones. at Bethel church, where we had
seats reserved, that they might ST in the
rear of tbe pulpit facing the audience. that
all might sec tho long talke ed Of Bruce, reg
ister Of the treasury. and one of the two
c0lored ex-Senators that has been honored
with q seat isSshe Senate Of the Nation. and
the only colored man tifst has ever acted
president pro tom OF the United States
senate.
After leaving the church the Senator
called ON w. A. Rector, who is now chief
constable of the city OF Little Rock; when
of the city. they had pleasant discussions
over things that had passed between hem
fourte en- years ago.
The senator also me: Prof. J. c. Corbin,
who used to run cabin boy with him on the
Mississippi river twenty or thirty years ago
and they had merry chat.
On Sunday night the Senator was enter
tanned and had supper at Judge Gibbs and
the following guests participated: j. f.
Rector and lady; ]. &. Ish and lady: w. f.
Joshenberger and lady; Miss A. NJ. Rich
mond; Miss f. Foster and Mrs. Branch.
All remained and had a nice time until
nearly time for the train going north, which
leaves ut II :25 p. m. On taking our names
the Senator promised to exchange photos,
bid US adieu and We all retired, whom the
carriage drove up and taken the Senator to
the train for Jackson, MISS, via st. Louis,
Me-, to be at the Capitol May 1st.