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 in the Louisiana Purchase Exposition has performed its duties with fidelity, reasonable economy and success. The building erected for the state was commodious, impressive and artistic. It is believed that it was visited by more persons than all of the other state buildings combined. It cost with furniture and decoration of the grounds $96,145.64, which is $24,126.92 less than the cost of the structure devoted to like uses at the Columbian Exposition at Chicago. Among the decorations were forty-four portraits in oil of the leading personages in the history of Pennsylvania, and from among them portraits to the value of $2,500 have been retained for the new capitol. The prizes awarded by the authorities of the exposition were numerous and creditable to the state. The commission will return to the state treasury out of the appropriation of $300,000 made by the last legislature a considerable sum, approximating $30,000.

In 1905, there will be held in Portland, Oregon, the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the exploration of the Oregon country, and in 1907, there will be held in Virginia an Exposition to commemorate the tercentenary of the Settlement of Jamestown, the earliest settlement of English people in North America. I call your attention to these important events for such action as you may deem wise.

Such legislation ought to be adopted as will aid in ensuring the maintenance of the health of the people by providing adequate means for the prevention of the pollution of the streams and water supplies, the prevention of the spread of typhoid fever, diphtheria and similar diseases through the dissemination of their germs, and providing for the registration of births, deaths and cases of contagious and infectious diseases. The present system which imposes upon the boards of school directors in many counties the duties of local boards of health is inadequate and needs revision.

The affairs of Pennsylvania are in such shape as to be a source of legitimate pride in the present and hopefulness for the future, but it is my duty to add a note of warning. The volume of laws passed at the last session of the general assembly evidenced great care and a high degree of intelligence upon the part of the legislators responsible for them. They compare favorably with the legislation enacted by any legislative body in the history of the country, whether in nation or state. It is important that there shall be no retrogression, and no falling away from the standard then maintained. While the financial condition of the 542