Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-05-02
BARRED.FROMCOLLHGE
Dr.. William 7. Merchant, Of West
Virginia, was Refused
ADMISSION BECAUSE OF COLOR.
He Sought 70 Finish His Studies with thsNsw f'rk
POSTGRADUATE Medical School, but the Faculty
Refused to Accept Hin Ahsr They Saw
His Skin-Will Fight in tie Courts.


man, DR.. William t. Merchant, 70 the
New York Post-Graduate Medical
School on East Twentieth street, be-
tween Third aud Second avenues. 10
confronting the faculty Of that instito-
tion, and is untavoraoly considered.
DR.. Merchant has been In this city
month, seeking admittance 10 the
school, yet the faculty has not given
him an official answer as 10 whether he
will be received as student. De comes
on here from his home in Eagle, w.
Va, on the strength OF correspondence
assuring him he would be admitted,
though in his letters he made no men
tion OF his color. When he reached
here, and his color was revealed, the
faculty found the school was TOO fnli'
TO receive him.
DIR. Merchant placed the matter Ia
the hands of Colonel Robert q. Ingersoll
who wrote letter 10 DIR. Il. ST. John
Roosa, president OF the scnool. Colonel
Ipgersoll has not received reply 70 his
note, as the faculty has not finally deter
mined the matter. III the reply Is I'M
favorable to DR.. Merchant, suit will be
brought TO compel the school TO admit
him.
The reason for the dlsinclinatlon OF
the faculty To admit DR.. Merchant Is
that many OF the students In the school
are Southerners who would leave In
body should the colored man be ad-
mitted.
DIR. Merchant proposes TO make test
case OF the matter. Members OF his
race In this city will assist him hnan-
cially IL he Is not able TO bear the ex-
pense OF the fight.
An official OF the school told me last
night that the faculty would spend
thousands OF dollars in fighting the case,
and thatif DIR. Merchant ever becameA
student In the institution u would cost
him small fortune In legal fees.
DIR. Merchant was graduated from
the Howard University Medical Depart
ment In Washington, ID. O., which has
turned out number OF colored physi-
clans. lie is thirty years old, his fore
head Is well proportloued, and his gen.
eral appearance is that OF an intelllgent
man.
DIR. Merchant, since his graduation,
has been practising 10 his native town,
Eagle. He has built up an extensive
practice.
Early in the year circular OF the
New York Post-Graduata Medical
School fell into his hands. lie resolved
TO attend the institution.
He wrote DIR. Clarence @. Rice, secref
tary of the school, who lives at No. l23
East Nineteenth street Several letters
passed between them. but nothing WAS
Il. ~ WfIIr
DR.. Merchant says IL did not enter
bis mind TO say he was colored. as there
was nothing 10 the catalogue 20 ln-
innate that his race would disquaiify
him as a student. The catalogue
stated as follows:
Undergrad yates In medicine are not I'D
mitted, but all who have legal right 70
practice medicine in their State or country
are received Both the recent graduates
who wishes 10 enter for the first time up
on practical clinical work, and the prhcii-
toner OF years standing who is cesirous OF
taking I'D special branches or OF refresh.
ing his knowledge in general medicine and
surgery, will find he institution adapted
TO his requirements.
Secretary Rice wrote DIR. Merchant
on March 10 come on here, saying:
I'VE are very glad 10 know that you are
coming by April 1. We shall 10 do all We
can 10 make your course pleasant one Tor
YOU"
DIR. Merchant, after engaging a young
physician Of Washington 70 take charge
OF his practice during his absence, sent
hls wife 10 RIchmord and came on here.
lie met DIR. Rice by appointment al his
Office, and the latter was astoIlshed 70
find DIR. Merchant was colored.
DR.. Rice, In his amazement, STAN
mered:-
"Why-er-why-I dIdn't discover
ANYTHING colored about your letters.
supposed / was writing 70 white
man"
"There Is nothing In yonr catalogue"
answered DIR. Merchant, about color,
and supposed all physicians were alike
in your eyes so long as they paid for
their tuition and conducted themselves
properly. Am ] any the worse on ac-
count OF my colorT
"Well, you know" replied Dr. kice,
''this Is something that has not been
done before-admitting colored man
70 the school. Personally have 30 OBJ
Iections. but IL would establish prcce-
dent 10 which some OF the faculty aod
students might object. There are
great many Southern physicians Ia the
school and they might leave were you
admitted. cannot admit you on ny
own responsibility, but we are going 70
have a meeting OF the faculty this
evening and will lay the matter be-
fore them and let you know the de-
cision tomorrow"
DIR. Merchant heard nothing fr9m DR..
Rice until April IS, when be rtceiveo
the following letter:
NEW YORg. Aprilf 1ses.
Nv Dy.y DocroR--The conlmittee
eossIdering the matter Of which sou ~
10 me. aud will come 70 son
soon. The school Is exceed
now, aud perhaps you couidr
private instruction. Won
DR. X. w. Wilcox, SO MAJ
please call on him and show %
and ask him what be can 90 Tor y
way OF dispenssry work foursF
CLAHEscE G. RICE. ~
Dr. Merchant considered
ton OF his appllcstiop fof
and did not call oa DR.. WI
rad come here at conside
he resolved 70 see II "
,ot he To- f>to
waiting ~ -
the hs.nd
II
q