The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-08-02
Mr.. Orth and the Venezuela Job. What
A sitizen of E.afay cite says on the an
teresIing Subject.

A gentleman at lafayette, we'll known
throughout the state and whose statements
are entitled to full credit, has, at our re-
quest, taken the pains 10 write up Mr.
GOdlOve 3. Orth's connection with the
Venezuela swindle, Sd far as il is known
to the people OF Lsfsy ette, and sends Us
the following which we present to cur
readers "a being entirely reliable:
"Mr. Orth's connection with the Vene-
zuels job dates from about the time of
Tom Stilwell's return as minister resident
to Venezuela, to which he was appointed
by Andy Johnson. During the recess OF
Congress from 1867 down to and including
1872, General Talmadge the late United
States commissioner to adjust the claims
against Venezuela was frequent visitor
10 Lsfay etLe, making his home usually at
the residence of Mr.. Orth. 1t very soon
trsnsp.red, aud came to be generally
known in Lafayette, that certain relatives
OF Mr.. Ortb, among them Col. Godlove
Orth Bhem and the Hon. John A. Stein
togsther with Mr.. Orth's postmaster
John L. Miller, Capt. Jacob F. Marks and
other peis of Mr.. Ortb, were large holders
of Venezuels certificates issued by this
General Tslmsdge and his colleagues of
the Venezuela commission.
At the organization of the Forty-6rst
Congress it will be remembered that Mr..
Orth was appointed member OF the com
mite on ways and means, the most i'm
poriant committee of the House. Gov
Austin Blair of Michigan was appointed
on foreign affairs. Subsequently in the
session, and for reasons which were well
understood in Lafayette, and openly stated
by the holders OF these Venezuela cersif-
Gates, the speaker made change in these
two committees, putting Mr.. Orth on the
foreign affairs and Gov. Blair on the ways
and means. Then begins Mr.. 0rth's pub
lie record with these fraudulent Venezuela
claims. In April. 1870, Mr.. Orth, from the
committee on foreign affairs, submitted
joint resolution entitled, "a joint resolu-
ton to enforce the stipulations OF the con-
vention with Venezuela of April %, 1866"
The preamble of the resolution gives the
terms OF the convention and tho results OF
the commission. The resolution is as fol-
lows:
Be IL resolved by the Senate and House OF
Representatives of the I'm ted States OF Amer
ica in Congress Assembled: That the aojudi-
cation of the ella ms by the said commission,
pursuant TO the terms OF said convention, is
To be h Id as valid and subsisting asainsI the
republic OF Venezuela, and Tor the purpose OF
enforcing the collection and payment OF the
sums OF money so awarded, the president Is
hereby authorized and directed to make a de-
msnd upon the rep bile of Venezuela for i'm
mediate paw ment, and in case of neglect or re-
such portion of the naval and military forces
as ay be nee ssary in his judgment to secure
the faithful performance OF the terms OF said
convention.
That Mr.. Orth kept his rels-
tons and friends fully informed
as to the action of the foreign
affairs committee may be reasonably in
ferred from the fact tina. they publicly
stated such resolution would be reported
by the committee long before it's presepts-
fact that they "losded mp" fresh supply
of certificates purchased through General
Tslmadge Just before Mr.. Orth made his
report.
The resolution failed to pass for want of
lime. Mr.. Orb was not member OF the
next (Forty-seeond) Congress being sue
ceeded by General Manson, Democrs',
bus though not a member, he turned up
in Washington at the second session, land
after his election in 1872 as member OF
the Forty-third Congressl as lobbyist OF
these swindliDg claims. and for fee OF
seven thousand dollars, IS he him elf adj
mits in his testimony before the investi-
eating committee OF the House, succeeded