1904.] OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES. 203

An experience of four years has given me familiarity
with the duties of the office, and made me fully ac-
quainted with the financial condition and resources of
the State, and in entering upon another term of labor
and responsibility, it is a great gratification to know
and to be able to say that the condition of the Treas-
ury is all that can reasonably be desired.

The recent message of Governor John Walter Smith
and the report of Comptroller Joshua W. Hering,.
give the details of our assets, resources and liabilities,
and furnish the welcome information that the State is-
now substantially out of debt.

You may rely upon my cordial co-operation with
the Comptroller in the administration of the financial
affairs of the State, and upon our constant consulta-
tion with the Governor, and thus by watchfulness and
care I shall do my best to prove my high appreciation
of the important public trust which the generous kind-
ness of my friends has led them again to confide to my
hands.

With sincere regards, I am

Very truly yours,
MURRAY VANDIVER.

Also,

The following communication from the Maryland
Commissioners to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition,
St. Louis, Mo.

BALTIMORE, February 3, 1904.

At the last session of the Legislature, twentyifive
thousand dollars ($25,000.00) was appropriated to the-
Maryland Commissioners to the Louisiana Purchase
Exposition, ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) of which
has been drawn out by the Treasurer of the Maryland
Commissioners, Mr. Fred. P. Stieff, through the State
Comptroller, leaving fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000)
still in the State Treasury to the credit of the Mary-
land Commissioners.

The ten thousand dollars ($10,000) which the Mary-
land Commissioners have received is accounted for by
the Treasurer, Fred. P. Stieff, as follows :