The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-12-22
door exercise and steady industry. sweet
esed by occasional festivals
EX-SENATOR BRUCE
4 story Indicative OF His Taiferm Court
csy-Why RE Travels by hay.


Buffalo Traveller.
Ex-senator Bruce. OF Mississippi. IS one
81 the familiar figures OF Washington. He
= iignt-coioFed mulatto. weighing about
20 pounds. His hair is kinky and he
wears muStache on his jolly face. No
man IN the country, either white or
ToloFed. has more perfect manners than
the only man of his race who ever occupied
seat IN the Senate OF the United States
Oae Of his friends said to me tolsy. as he
passed down Pennsylvania avsfls1e: An
interesting incident happened when Bruce
was in the Senate. One day a south
ern lady called at the House cf
Representatives and had an inter-
view with q Mississippi member. who
Ess Democrat She explained that
the war had reduced her family from affiu-
enee TO positive poverty, and she implored
him to obtain her place in one of the
government departments here. He replied
that he was sorry; that he could do moth
ing with Republican administration, and
that there was only one man who could
help her--Senator Bruce. The lady replied
that she could not think of lowering her
self BY asking negro for favor. even il
he was United States senator. She was
greatly disheartened, but upon thinking
the matter over, she concluded TO swallow
her feelings and call upon Mr.. Bruce. That
afternoon she sent in her card and the
senator met her in the reception room.
She explained her position and asked his
aid. Dir Bruce listened and said he could
arrange for her appointment With all
the courtesy of a gentleman Of the older
school he handed her TO a carriage
and directed the driver TO proceed
TO the treasury department. He took
another cab and met her At the Office OF the
secretary. In few moments the appoint
ment was made and the lady who had at
one time owned more than thousand men
OF the senator's race was put on the road to
earn her own living. Mr.. Bruce had many
opportunities OF performing similar acts
while he was in the Senate, and he never
failed TO improve q single one. I called
upon him the other night and found him
at dinner in his room. was somewhat
surprised and asked him why he did not
take his meals in the public dining
of the hotel. He said: 1t is my rule
never to intrude where there is shadow
of suspicion that my presence may not be
desirable For that reason never patron
ize sleeping car nor take meals ON the
train. Before | start on a journey ar
range so as to travel by daylight, aud my
wife prepares q luncheon for me. This re-
minds me that Mrs. Bruce is one of the
handsomest ladies in Washington. Her
marriage with the senator created an i'm.
mense social sensation in Cleveland. She
was school-teaeher there, and her family
mingled freely in white society. There was
not suspicion that they had colored blood
in their veins. and il / remember correctly
her brother was quite high in the Masonic
fraternity. Their eldest child is beauti-
full boy. When Bruce's credentials were
presented in the Senate. his Democratic
colleagues refused 70 escort him TO the
front 10 take the oath of Office from the
presiding officer. The situation was an
embarrassing one for moment. but the
quick eye of Senator Conkling at once
grasped it. He arose, and with that dig
nifty which but few men possess. he ex-
tended his arm, and with the great Repuh
liean leader at his side, Mr.. Bruce was
sworn In. Senator Bruce never forgot this
kindly act His sons name Is Roscoe
Conkiin Bruce"