JuNE 14, 1901.] 
them of a personal character, were elimi- 
nated from the general meetings. The sub- 
sequent creation of the Executive Com- 
mittee still further relieved the general 
meetings of annoying details. Thus re- 
lieved, both the general meetings and the 
sections have grown in scientific impor- 
tance, emphasizing the persistence of our 
devotion to what must. ever be recognized 
as the essential, fundamental object of our 
organization—the cultivation of the medi- 
eal sciences. It must be acknowledged, 
however, that great as has been the prog- 
ress in this particular, too much of the 
time of our general sessions is yet devoted 
to the consideration of matters which might, 
with propriety, be relegated for final action 
to a smaller body. It would redound 
largely to the interest of our annual ses- 
sion if the general membership could be 
entertained and instructed at our general 
meetings by exercises of a more purely 
scientific character, of such broad nature 
that they should not be restricted to any of 
the sections. A reform in this particular 
will be a long step in the direction of prog- 
ress. The sections, in consequence of the 
faithful labors of their officers, offer strik- 
ingly attractive programs for the present 
session. In several of the lists will be 
found the names of invited guests who, 
through fortuitous circumstances, are not 
members of the Association, but who are, 
nevertheless, active workers in the scientific 
field, and whose participation in our labors 
will enrich the value of our proceedings and 
enhance the felicities of the occasion. I 
bespeak for them your cordial welcome. 
While the officers of sections and your presi- 
dent have exercised the prerogative of in- 
viting guests, who come as guests, and not 
as members of any class, as specified by the 
Constitution, such invitations have been 
extended solely with the object of advanc- 
ing the interests of the Association. Ilook 
upon this privilege, which has been exer- 
SCIENCE. 
927 
cised by all of my predecessors and by pre- 
vious officers of sections, as one of extreme 
importance, and one which should be con- 
tinued under any plan of reorganization 
which may be adopted. It is my convic- 
tion, however, that the privilege should be 
hedged about by certain limitations, one of 
the most important of which should be that 
an invitation should not be extended a 
second time to any person residing within 
the United States whose professional quali- 
fications may entitle him to membership. 
With reference to the invitation of persons 
identified with the allied sciences, the 
matter should be left absolutely to the dis- 
cretion of the president of the Association 
and with the officers of sections. 
CONGRESSIONAL AND STATE LEGISLATIVE 
AFFAIRS. 
The American Medical Association, dur- 
ing the first fifty years of its exist- 
ence, exerted relatively little influence 
upon legislation, either State or national. 
Since the standing Committee on National 
Legislation and the National Legislative 
Council of delegates from the State Socie- 
ties have been established, and have be- 
come cooperative, there is some evidence 
that the voice of the profession is headed 
at Washington. The experience of the 
splendid committee of this Association, 
acting in concert with the National Legis- 
lative Council during the last year, has, 
however, shown the. serious necessity for 
more thorough organization in protecting 
the interests of the profession and the in- 
terests of society, as represented through 
the profession. The inefficiency of our 
present organization for influence upon 
Congress was shown in the inability of 
your committee, notwithstanding its strong 
personnel and the influences atits command, 
to prevent the degradation of the army 
medical service. This was accomplished 
by the passage of a bill under the cham- 
