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"They have believed, and still believe, that in view of a late public distrust in its management, justice to all persons officially connected with it, as well as the patients, demanded a thorough investigation, to the end that if complaints so commonly made were without foundation, the officers might be vindicated, and if true, they might be dismissed.

"And the Committee do not at all sympathize with the feelings, very naturally entertained by many persons residing in the vicinity of our State institutions, that they who listen to complaints or promptly investigate them, are enemies to the institution. Such are its true friends.

"The testimony was finally closed on the 30th ultimo, and after hearing the argument of the counsel, and carefully reviewing and considering the evidence, the Committee unanimously resolved that it seemed their imperative duty to recommend:

An immediate change in the office of Superintendent, and the correction of abuses shown to exist."

Signed by the Committee:

ALLEN C. FULLER,
ANDREW J. HUNTER,
ELMER BALDWIN,
T. B. WAKEMAN,
JOHN B. RICKS
December 2nd, 1867

Action of the Legislature.
REPORT OF JOINT COMMITTEE.

The foregoing reports and evidence and papers relating thereto, having been referred to the Committee on State Institutions of the House, said Committee would respectfully report that the evidence relates solely to the management of the Hospital for the insane, and that the report of the Committee of Investigation contains a fair and substantial abstract of so much of said evidence as appears necessary to an understanding of the subject of the Investigation.

From an examination of said reports and evidence, we are satisfied that the investigation was thorough and impartial, and adopt the conclusions arrived at by the Investigating Committee.

February 20,1869.

H. C. CHILDS, Chairman.
SAMUEL WILEY,
GEO. GAYLORD,
CHARLES G. READE,
E. H. TALBOT,
C. W. MARSH,
GEO. W. PARKER,
A. KINYON,
N. R. CASEY,
JOHN W. ROSS,
S. R. SALTONSTALL,
JOS. COOPER,
Committee on State Institutions of the House.

The undersigned, Committee on State Institutions of the House, in compliance with a joint resolution of this General Assembly directing them to report an abstract of the testimony taken by the Committee, appointed by the General Assembly to investigate the affairs of the insane, and other Institutions, respectfully report:

That they have adopted the abstract of the evidence as found the report of said Investigating Committee, to his Excellency the Governor, and have caused the said report to be printed in full; and herewith submit the same for the consideration of the Senate.

JOHN McNULTA, Chairman.
JOHN H. ADAMS,
WILLIAM PATTON,
J. D. WARD,
T. A. BOYD,
J. L. TINCHER,
S. R. CRITTENDEN,
JAS. M. EPLER,
J. J. R. TURNEY,
Committee on State Institutions of Senate.

CHAPTER XXXV.
Dr. McFarland's Exit from the Asylum.

The Investigating Committee finding Dr. McFarland guilty of all the charges brought against him, recommended his immediate removal from the Asylum.

The Legislature endorsed the conclusions arrived at by their Committee.

Governor Palmer fully coincided with the decision of the Legislature, that he be removed, and acted in accordance with his convictions in the course he took to accomplish his immediate exit from the Asylum, as the writer heard from the Governor's own lips. Said he:

"Since the Legislature have recommended "the removal of Dr. McFarland, and feeling disposed to act in harmony with "them, I therefore made this point a specialty in the appointment of the Trustees, for by the laws governing this matter, the trustees are the only power that can remove the Superintendent; and determined to appoint no one on this board who would not pledge himself to remove Dr. McFarland at once."

"Did you carry out this purpose, Governor Palmer?"

"I did, in this manner. Mr. Morrison, one of the trustees, came to me and said he had been appointed by the board to confer with me as to their re-appointment. He said it was self-evident the action of the Legislature required the removal of the Doctor; that if they were displaced at the same time the verdict of public condemnation would rest upon themselves also. Therefore, to avoid this identification with the Superintendent's fall, they respectfully asked the Governor to re-elect them, saying:

'In the name of the Trustees we give you our pledge that we will remove Dr. McFarland at the earliest possible date.'

"Believing them to be honorable men whose veracity could be trusted in the fulfillment of this, their voluntary pledge of honor, I re-appointed them for another term, fully expecting that at their next meeting, in about two weeks from date, they would do as they had promised to do, viz.: Remove the Superintendent and appoint another in his place.

"But lo! I instead of redeeming their promise, by accepting Dr. McFarland's resignation, they reinstated the Doctor and resigned themselves!"