National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1876-08-05
THE VENEZUELAN SCANDAL.

EX-COmmlbblOu6I xblWak0 oolUIo u DuU-OOul-
mittee Of the Houss-Hs Accuses Congress-
man Springer of Acting as the "Fugleman"
of disappointed Claimants and 'vsnezue-
Ian Emlssariss."
The awards of the Mixed Commission, ap-
pointed under the convention between the
United States and Venezuela, of April 25,
1866, of which was so unfortunate as to be
commissioner for the United States, having
been attacked anew by the emissaries of Vene-
zuela and disappointed claimants, all alike my
personal enemies, left my quiet retreat in
California, where was sojourning in quest of
health and strength, and came to Washington
to defend yet again the work which finished
nearly eight years ago, and my good name,
which has been persistently assailed since
then. found the matter in charge of a sub
committee Of three of the Committee on For
eign Affairs, of which subcommittee Mr.. w.
NJ. Springer, of Illinois, was chairman. Upon
my introduction to him Mr.. Springer remarked
that the committee did not specially desire my
presence, but that he thought my friends did,
and that he would give me hearing at the
committee-room next morning, Dune %,
1861 at 10 O'Clock, which remark l thought
very strange, as l bad been summoned to
appear for examination. At time and place
appointed was surprised at finding only q
committee of one, Mr.. Springer, and with him
Seth briggs, a dissatisfied claimant, and his
attorney, w. B. Matchett, both my yindictive
personal enemies, and the chief tools in the
hands of Venezuela for undermining the COM
mission and robbipg the United States citizens
of their just dues and me of my fair fam2.
There was also present gentleman who much
resembled, and whom / supposed to be, Mr..
De la Costa, Venezuela Charge d. Affairs.
Astonished at the sight of such a gathering,
and at the thought that Mr.. Springer had
acted over night as their fugleman, l remarked
to him that, as he had Informed me that the
committee did rot specially need me, was 10
doubt as to his intentions or the propriety of
any further conference. He replied that he
proposed to examine me, and would administer
oath or affirmation. When 1 had been sworn,
he sid that might proc ed with my state
ment. ] hfd prepared a written account from
memory OF the proceedings ofthe commission,
which l rerd, end which, when had done, he
handed to the clerk. He then began a series
OF impertinent questions and arrogant and in
sulting remarks. Twas so indignant at the
trap he had spuug upon me and the abuse of
his high position to degrade me in the presence
of my inveterate enemies, one of them black
mailer Of long standing, who seemed to have
the handling of this curious subcommittee,
and withal was so faint with sickness and my
wearisOme journey across the continent that
scarcely knew what i, Sas saying. felt as if
/ were in Venezuelan Star Chamber, to be
brow beaten and bull ed, and not under the
protection of Government which had faith
fully served, TO answer any question as 10 the
manner and nature of my service. Mr.. Springer
not only allowed these men, briggs and
Matchctt, In my presence, and in committee
room of the Unit d States Congress, to make
suggestions to him, but also to put questions
to me and Interrupt me, with the evident in
tcntion of preventing me from setting forth
the facts as 20 the work of the commission and
my own conduct Ps commissioner. While this
"exaninat:on" was in progress Seth briggs
attorneys were preparing papers in an adjoiu-
ing room to - upon me, and while the
COMMITTEE" was in session there was knock
at the door, and Mr.. Springer excused me,
that might be rived with summons. Idc-
cliDcs, and IeTues ed that the examination
might pre- cccd, whcreupou Mr.. Springer asked
ne in most insolent manner whether 1t was
not singular that /, a contra ctor for the build
ing of "fs works and railroads, should have
been selected for the conduct of an interna-
floral arbitration, when there were so many
lawyers and others who were perhaps seeking
the POSITION, and he thea proceeded to inquire
in rude and abrupt tones how l got the ap-
pointm mt. l could but leave the question to
be eolved where 1t originated, and 1 so in
formed him, denying his right to reflect upon
me il this way, and attempt to bring an hon.
orable employment in a democratic country
into contempt. Sharp words ensucd, aud Mr..
Springer fdjourned to convene the following
morning, at 10 O'Clock, remarking that he
wished l would refresh my memory and look
up my papers. As l passed out of the door of
the committee room was served with a sum-
M, Ds in a suit of briggs VS.. Talmage by the
officers of the Law, there in wait for me by the
aid End coprivance of Mr.. Springer, q member
of Congress, who, instead of prostituting his
high Office to the personal ends of such per-
sons, should have afforded me, as witness,
the protection of tine Government, aud not
treated me, who, by the records of previous
Commit ees on Foreign Affairs, appeared as an
approved public servant, as if had been a
convicted crit nal or notorious rascal.
cannot express my adherence of nature
so lost to generous and manly impulses, the
attributes of a gentleman, and the proprieties
o. the posi.ion which he holds. l went before
him in an honest cause, weak and faint from
a protrscscd Illness and scarcel7 able to
sit up, to give evidence to establish the
intcgIty OF my official conduct and
the justice and legality of the awards
made 20 my fellow citizens, but withheld
from them for nearly eight years by the in
iquitous conrse of a foreign Power, and l was
met the "utrc 2eous attempt at intimidation,
with the motive of advancing through my dis
comfiture the schemes OF conspiring spectators
to depreciate and buy up the evidences of Ven
eZuela's Indebtedness, having signally failed to
annul or in any way to iuvalidate the adjudica.
ton Ofthe commission. ANY lack of explicitness
and any appearar e of discrepancy in my testi-
moDy should &c attributed to my physical con-
dticn when ] reached the committeeman, and
the state Of mind brought about by what saw
and suffered at that Examination" 1t has
long seemed as If "the Venezuelan ring" owned
certain public prints, but it never succcc led
until now in getting hold Of aud using az 4!nst
the commission. ever so briefly, any of the
machinery ofthe Government which so faith
fully ard successfully served. This transitory
triumph was achieved by the coalition be-
tween Blackmailer Matchett and Congressman
Springer
(Signed) D. n. TALMAGE.