Jenks' Portland Gazette

January 3, 1804.

Very little public business has been done, especially since the commencement of the holidays. The democrats at the beginning of the session declared that Congress would rise by Christmas. It is now understood that the session will continue till March, though I do not see what should employ Congress a month.

Some time has been lost upon the Salary bill. It originated in the House. The Senate added certain "amendments," among which was one raising the salary of the Postmaster General from 3000 to 4000 dollars, and that of his Assistant from 1700 to 2000 dollars. The House had for obvious purposes, inserted the words "as established by the act of 1799." After the Senate had raised some of the salaries above what they ever stood before, even by a temporary grant, these words did not read quite so well in the place where they stood, and their position was changed so as to come in immediately before those salaries which were raised. When the bill came back to the House, the House nonconcurred the amendments of the Senate. Whereupon the Senate requested a conference. But the conferees could not agree. The Senate then voted to adhere to their amendment instead of waiting for propositions of accommodation from the House, as has been usual. The House also agreed to adhere to their nonconcurrence; so that after all this, the bill is lost: and if the officers named in the bill must commence de novo.

How the two branches will agree is not to be predicted. This is a fine commentary upon the democratic doctrine of low salaries.