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Tuesday, Feb 15th

The Committee met according to adjournment in Representatives Hall. Messrs. Pettangall, Hill, Dudley, Morrill, Goss, Sargent, Linscott, and Eaton were present. Dr. Butler said that the investigation was the case of the people against the Insane hospital, technically speaking. The authorities at the hospital had employed able counsel, and he suggested that the Committee employ council to look after the interests of the people. Mr. Pettangall said he knew of no power that the Committee had to employ counsel. Mr. Morrill dissented from the proposition that this was a question of the people v. the Hospital. No one had come here by petition to ask for an investigation; yet the committee, at the solicitation of the trustees felt disposed to grant the fullest examination into the affairs of the institution. The employment of counsel had been by persons who, he supposed, felt called upon to defend themselves from charges made against them. He did not think the Committee had the power to appoint counsel to conduct the other side Dr. Butler: The trustees threw out a challenge