The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-04-08
SURGEONS SEEKING OFFICE
DR.. Purvis Aspirant for Chief Sur
geOn of Freedman's Hospital.
Secretary Bliss Said TO Favor DIR.
williams Retention Position
Protected by Civil Service.

DR.. C. B. Purvis, late surgeonIn-chief of
Freedman's Hospital, had an Interview
with the Secretary of the Interior this
morning. His visit to the department
was most likely in connection with the
hospital, for should a change of princi-
pals be made in that instlt ution DR.. Pur-
Wis would, by reason of his service in the
Federal army, be appointed to the office.
The positions of surgeon-in-chief and
assistant surgeons are now within the
classified service, and although the in
cumbent, DR.. Daniel II. Williams, of Illi-
nos, is an appointee of the late admins
tratiOn, and although ii is alleged by his
opponents, his conduct OF the hospital has
been productive OF intense friction among
many OF the local colored physicians and
surgeons, the Department of the Interior
is not contemplating a change. Secretary
Bliss is well informed on this question and
il is understood that he favors the reten-
ton and protection of DIR. Williams as
man of ability as an operative surgeon and
or the necessary executive ability for the
position.
tary for half an hour, and the only theme
which could prove so interesting TO each
is that OF Freedman's Hospital
Surgeon Williams was appointed Feb
ruary I5, 1894, and draws a salary of
$4,000. His first assistant is William H.
Warfield, of Maryland, and the second
assistant, Thomas A Killion. One OF the
first acts Of Dr. Williams was the stablisiI-
ment OF a system of internes, and the De
partment OF the Interior believes that
the practical results derived from this
experiment clearly demonstrates the wis
dom OF such a step. Bright young gradu-
ates from some OF the foremost medical
colleges have entered the hospital as in
ternes, each bringing to the discharge of
his duties ambition and ability.
Dr. Williams established the training
school for nurses in connection with the
hospital, and later gave TO the hospital
an ambulance service which does effec-
tive work in emergency cases throughout
the northern part OF the city, reaching
patients I'm less time, in many localities,
than can be done by the ambulance from
Emergency Hospital, which makes it's
startfro point two miles south of Freed
mans. or by one of the police ambulances,
which have to begin their run from police
station No. 2.
DR. purvis told a reporter Of The Times
that there were many applicants for the
position of surgeon-in-chief or superin-
tendent Of Freedman's Hospital. Some
Of the candidates are cOlOred, some white.
Among those on the list of tolorcl candi-
dates are Or Boyd, Of Tennessee. br. Hall,
of Baltimore. and Or. Norwood. of North
Carolina Several white surgeons. so it
is stated at the department, would also
like to have the place.
Should the position he made vacant, the
Secretary of the Interior will have deli
cate civil service question to settle be-
fore he can consistently fill the office.
As has been stated, the positions are pro-
tected within the classified service. The
Civil Service Commission cannot take
cogniZance of a mans color, nor can
the Secretary of the Interior, without
violating the civil service law, discrimi
nate against a man because he happens
TO be white or black. Yet the colored pop
ulation of the country will demand that
this office be occupied by colored officer.
When the list of eligibles is sent by the
Civil Service Commission to the Secre-
tary he cannot know officially anything
about a mans color. If he should make q
change and then carry out the law, the
chances are more than thousand to one
that a white man will get the place
and if he concludes to appoint colored
man to it without reference to the civil
service he will violate the law.