The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-11-16

his tainted blood became his great and I'M
pardonable offense. 1t was not convlnc-
ingly shown that be had negro blood in his
veins, but it was rumored that he had, and
that was enough. Society was Inundated,
not so much because it had entertained
criminal as because it had admitted a per
son who possibly had had the bad taste to
select negro for one of his remote an
cestors. Thus finely the line is drawn.
But it is easier for white scamp to get
into good white society here than for col
ored scoundrel to get into refined coiored
society. The colored people are not so
particular TO inquire into mans ancestry,
but they very carefully canvass his charac-
ter before they admit him to their circle;
and in point of intelligence and culture this
colored circle compares not unfavorably
with the same grade of white society,
though, of course, 1t is not nearly SO large.
The advancement of the cOlored race during
the quarter century that it has had human
existence in this country, and especially in
this city, is matter for marvel; the intelli
gence and wealth acquired by its men, the
beauty and culture achieved by its women
are fruitful themes for reflection upon the
future of that race.
About one-third Of the population of
Washington is colored, and this race fur
nishes what Is known as the poor class''
of the city, yet 1t IS remarkable and sig
nificant fact that the average of intelli-
gence is higher in Washington than in
almost any other city in America. [ pre-
sumo to say there is not city of Wash
ington's size in the United States where
greater percentage of the poor class can
read and write; or, to turn to the moral
phase of the matter, where there is so little
crime committed by that class.
1t is not an easy task to obtain authentic
information concerning the first circle of
. %nll5 l.,
and gentlemen VINO form 1t are chary of
newspaper attention, which is too fire.
quently based on mere curiosity. More
over, these people naturally and Justly OBJ
| iect to the patrouizing tone in which they
are usually addressed. But when the
stranger has been properly introduced, he
is received with cordial welcome to their
beautiful homes, and treated with refined
curiosity which al once dispels any idea he
may have had that he is among mis- in
feriors. "All we ask of people," said one
colored gentleman of national renown, sis
that we be treated simply as men and
women, or as gentlemen and ladies, if we
deserve those titles"
The wife of ex-senator Bruce, as well by
reason of her own beauty, grace and charm
of manner as by her husbands high posi-
ton and wealth, takes precedence in the
leadership of Washington colored society.
She is q tall, statuesque woman, still youth
| full and fairer than many a Caucasian belle.
| Her pale, creamy complexion, dark eyes
and slightly waving, abundant hair give no
more hint of her African blood than is sug-
gested by any brunette of our own race.
She was born in Philadelphia, but was
reared and educated in Cleveland, o.,
where she was married to Mr. Bruce about
| thirteen years ago. She was educated as
became the daughter of wealthy people,
and bred to the life and preiudices of the
north. She is essentially a northern
woman. Her dignity of speech, repose of
manner and popularity of accent are those
of the Boston lady. She has never been
any farther south than Washington The
Bruce residence on r. street is a modern
mansion of red sandstone, with interior
decorations of natural woods and the fur
nishings are of that same rich, quiet kind
which wealthy cultivated people through
out our land indulge in.
''What do you do for amusement and re-
creation!" was one of the questions put to
this lady.
"Pretty much as other people do. l i'm
agine," she answered. 1--WE are card play
ers and have our whist and euchre clubs.
Some of our gentlemen are excellent chess
players and get much entertainment from
the game. We are theatre goers, too, and
arc much given to dancing, to dinner par
ties and to receptions. We receive and
return calls, read, drive, dress and, in fact.
live just about as ladies do who have edu-
cation and means of social enjoyment"