Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-22
TRIBUTE TO BRUCE
E1-Attorney General Garland Was His Friend
and Admirer.
A Leader of the Colored Race Whose
Memory All Should Honor
Always a Gentleman.

ing from long illness. He is able to be
down stairs now and soon expects to be
out. In speaking to Star reporter yes
terday about the death of Register Bruce,
Mr. Garland said:
1.-The death Of B. K. Bruce makes a
chasm among the public characters that is
not soon to be filed, and revives recollecs
tons of the past in public service that are
interesting and of value Most ample evil
dences of this have recently been given in
all sorts of forms Of expression by our
people in every direction, and 1 feel it
simple duty to add something, though small
it may be, to this volume of tributes.
His was a mild, gentlemanly and gen.
crous character, and he never forgot on
any occasion to preserve It, When l came
to the United States Senate in March, 1877,
Bruce was already a member of that body
and had been for two years. Lamar came
in at the same time 1 did, and he very cor
daily introduced me to his colleague,
to me, and between US thereafter, at all
times, there existed the best of good feel
ing and friendship.
A Dutiful Senator.
HE was a prompt attendant upon the
sessions Of the Senate. close observer of
its proceedings and faithful member for
his constituents. Often he presided over
the deliberations of that body, and he did
it with case and w4h dignity, and upon no
occasion did he fail to remember that he
was gentleman. In April, 1875 when the
democrats had control of the Senate, a
committee to investigate the affairs of the
Freedmans Savings and Trust Company
was appointed. and Bruce was made chair
man of 1t, and the other members of the
committee were Angus Cameron, John B.
Gordon. Robert E. Withers and myself.
n Ia inv
ton and Bruce gave his undivided atten-
ton to it, and presided at our meetings
with fairness, frmness and great intelli-
gence. and the report of this examination
to the Senate showed the good sense and
propriety of having Bruce as the chairman
of that committee. When he addressed the
Senate he always did it in plain and fair
language and to the point.
After His Marriage.
HE married while he was senator, and
his brother SC majors recognized his changed
situation and extended to him their most
heartfelt congratulations and good wishes.
In due course of time q bright boy was
born, and he christened it with the proud
name of Roscoe Conkling, the true and
stanch friend of the father. Congratu-
lating Bruce Upon this happy event, call
ell his attention to the fact that, while he
had honored his son with a great name,
p: cbably he was forgetting his neighbors;
that there was Lamar, his colleague, and
possibly myself, who might not be ignored,
and, taking the matter rather in earnest,
he laid his hand on my shoulder and said:
Well. senator, there will be other opportu-
mites. l am sure, and l will certainly re-
member Mr. Lamar and YOURSELF; and we
had hearty laugh and passed it off in
good humor. Bruce was always in good
humor-I don't think l ever saw him other
wise. He ever wore smiles instead Of
frowrS.
Liberal and Tolerant.
1.-THE public trusts he held after he left the
Senate were many and honorable, and he
executed them efficiently and acceptably
for he was faithful and true, as he found
that life was duty. Steadfast and devoted
to this party, for which he worked at all
times. he was liberal toward and tolerant
of opposing views and OF opposing men,
ard never suliied his claim as gentleman
He realized the truth Of what Addison
wrote good while ago, 1t were happy for
US could we Prevail Upon ourselves to i'm
agine that one who differs from us in opin-
ion may possibly be an honest man.
Example to His Race.
His example to ell men was stimulating
and encouraging, but particularly to his
race, to which he was such an honor, and
which delighted to see him honored
have an abiding faith that the wholesome
lesson to be derived from his life will not
be lost upon his people, and It should, and
am sure will, give us all from every sec
ton Of the country the most undisguised
81 atification to see them rally to the stand
ard he carried, and try to hold 1t as steady
AMI as erect as he did.
They may well sorrow over his loss and
preserve as time gees on his good name:
and they will not be alone in this, for ali
people of every class who knew him, or
Knew Of him. VIII remember him and his
gocdly bearing with a most profound APP
probation, and as friend of twenty-one
years l give this little offering to his mem
CRY, now that he rests, in the dark and
silent grave"