The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-06-12
DISGUISED AS A NEGRO.
A REPORTER BLACKS UP AND
TRIES THE SWELL HOTELS.

Not One Will Take Him as a Guest
Delmonico Says That They Have
Nothing to Eat-The Hoffman House
offers Food But No Drink-The
brunswick and the Fifth Avenue
Hotel Too Crowded.
From the Netc York World.
short time ago a nice-looking, we'll
dressed negro was elected from an ordinary
6own-town restaurant simply because he
,ras negro. The proprietor ordered the
waters not to serve him. Hardly good
hotel in the town would receive his custom
This was an odd state of affairs, so a World
reporter last week disguised himself as a
vell-to-do negro and made the round Of
New York's swell and aristocratic houses of
nublic resort to report upon the reception
he received and how he was served, if he
was received at all. And this is what he
saw. according to his own narratives:
After three hours spent in making up"
walked ND Broadway to Madison square
and engaged cab Mr.. Monahan was in
charge of the ribbons, and as he is very
discreet old gentleman, he entered into the
spirit of the thing at once. He drove around
n couple Of blocks and dropped me at Del
monicos. And here the troubles of the
counterfeit colored man began. AS
.osrted ND the steps of New York's swell
restaurant and saw through the windows
the array of beauty and fashion surround
ing the tables inside, my nerve began to
oo2e out of my finger tips. But realizing
this would never do, pulled myself to-
rether and broke the ice. AS | passed the
desk the cashier and one or two flunkies ap-
reared to have been stricken with
naralvsis They were so agitated that they
could not have discovered the fraud with
uapnifying glasses. | walked into the
large dining-room facing Fifth avenue
The ladies and their escorts at the adjoin-
ing tables looked absolutely Mortified as |
took seat at one of the tables as nonchal-
sntly as if there were really no prejudice
against black skin. The correct French
waters were panic stricken. They stood
about and iabbered in undertones to one
another and seemed undecided as to what
course to pursue One thing was absolutely
necessary and that was to remove the OBJ
noxious colored man from the presence of
the swell male and female diners as soon as
possible.
Finally little, stout, smooth-shaven
waiter recovered his senses sufficiently to
approach and ask me what | wished.
Bring me some soft shell crabs and a
bottle of ale" l answered.
"You will excuse me. We never serve
shentemen not accompanied by ladies in
dis room. Ifyou will enter re other room
you will be served"
every well, sah," said I, and then pro-
ceeded to the cafe.
A number OF men-about- town we're sitting
about the tables dining and winning, and
several of them looked aghast at the en-
trance of a negro. A tall waiter asked me
what wished, and l ordered a chicken
sandwich and cup of coffee. After tax
ing my order he proceeded down the room
and paid me no further attention. RealiZ-
ing that it was case of freeze out, | called
10 another waiter, who in turn asked me
what would have
II will have what 1 have already or
dered,n Indignantly replied. This is a
queer first-class house where a guest is
obliged to give his order dozen times, sab.
ordered chicken sandwich and cup Of
Coffee
I'VE have no more chicken sandwiches to
serve" he replied.
Although they may refuse to serve
colored people in swell places, they go about
it very gingerly and use repeated prevari-
cations to keep themselves within the law.
That is not So" l replied. ''and demand
that my order be served, or | know the
reason why"
We'll sir" said he, 81 cannot serve you.
You had better see the manager"
| went up to the desk and demanded an
audience with the proprietor. The cashier
with grave face assured me that he was
not in and would not arrive until very late.
then demanded a reason for not being
waited upon and not receiving the food l
had called for.
Il have come from Cuba via New Orleans,
Chicago and other large cities, and have
always put up at the largest hotels. Why,
then, am | refused in this house, which is
said to be first-class hostelry. Is there no
manager in charge of this restaurant. 1t
must be in charge of some one and l in
sist upon seeing him." l said, with some
force of language.
"The manager is now dining with some
ladies', and it will be some time before you
can see him, the cashier replied
Very well, | answered, Il will return
later for reason of this conduct, and il it
is not satisfactory the law will be appealed
TO-" then departed, much to t relief Of
the cashier and his underlings
AT THE HOFFMAN HOUSE.
Monahan was then called, and l was
wheeled up aud down Broadway, stopping
at the Hoffman house. My nerve was
wholly restored by my experience in Del
monico's, and l was prepared to go any
where. walked through the long corridor,
followed by the inquiring gaze of numerous
loungers, and stopped at the marble desk.
Good-natured Mr.. Percival was in charge
and look of dismay crept over his hand
some features when L remarked Hand
me the register and pen, please wish
to secure a comfortable room on the second
foorn
With never blush at the magnitude Of
the falsehood, he informed me that there
wasn't a single vacant room in the hotel
well! This is queer" L answered, u
have just come from New Orleans, and
was informed on the train that the Hoffman
house was very high class hostelry, sab.
And you inform me that you cannot accom-
modate me with an apartment"
he solemnly assured me that he was
extremely grieved that such was the fact.
then asked him if the lunch room was
open, saying l wished bite to eat. He
said certainly that / could get something
Tor the inner man and pointed out the
cafe went into the room, sat down and
ordered light lunch. To my utter aston
Shment the waiter at once proceeded to I'LL
my order, and here was the only place that
was served in my whole journey.
From there / was wheeled down Fifth
avenue to the old and aristocratic Brevoort
house. The cab stopped and assembled the
stone steps of the famous hostelry. The
Ia boy stared at me, as il were some
supernatural being, and the porter looked
utterly dumfounded. When l walked up
TO the desk and asked for apartments, how
ever, the look of pain on the features OF the