This Senator Alcorn refused to do.

When Mr.Bruce's name was called Senator Alcorn did not move; he remained in his seat, apparently giving his attention to his private correspondence.

Mr.Bruce, somewhat nervous and slightly excited, started to the President's desk unattended.

Senator Roscoe Conkling, of New York, who was sitting near by, immediately rose and extended his arm to Mr.Bruce and escorted him to the President's desk, standing by the new Senator's side until the oath had been administered, and then tendering him his hearty congratulations, in which all the other Republican Senators, except Senator Alcorn, subsequently joined.
This gracious act on the part of the New York Senator made for him a lifelong friend and admirer in the person of Senator Bruce.

This friendship was so strong that Senator Bruce named his first and only son Roscoe Conkling, in honor of the able, distinguished, and gallant Senator from New York.
Senator Alcorn's action in this matter was the occasion of considerable unfavorable criticism and comment, some of his critics going so far as to intimate that his action was due to the fact that Mr.Bruce was a colored man.