Speech #990016595

Bruce gave an impassioned speech. graphically depicting the terrorism used to intimidate blacks from voting and pleading for a federal investigation. which was authorized. though its damning finding were ignored. As the only black senator at the time. and for two years the only black in Congress. Bruce considered himself a spokesman for his race throughout the country. and he repeatedly pleaded and voted on its behalf.21 Bruce presided over the Senate in the absence of Vice President William Wheeler on February 14. 1879. as members wrestled with the issue of Chinese immigration. The New York Tribune reported. "This is the first time a colored man ever sat in the seat of the VicePresident of the United States. Senator Bruce is universally respected by his fellow senators and is qualified both in manners and character to preside over the deliberations of the most august body of men in the land." Arguing in favor of a motion to exclude the Chinese. one senator said the Nation could not absorb more than two races.