The Portland daily press., 1878-06-07

viously the cashier of a bank in Shreveport
At the time in question, he was in New Orleans
trausactipg private business.
Mr., MacMahon requested the witness to
state as near as he could remember the CONVEX
sation between himself and Asher.
The witness stated that after some prelimi-
nary remarks Asher proceeded, asking him if
he would be willing to accept the round sum of
$50 600 or SAC, 600 and refuse to accept his cer.
tiicate of election as elector.
Levisee said he did resign on the advice of
his friends, with whom he held consultation,
including Beckwitb Judge Campbell and John
ineligible, as he at that time filled federal
Office. He was not advised nor did he under
stand that he would be elected to fill his own
vacancy, but thought it possible that such
would be the case. As to the offer of $4,000
or $40, 900, he replied that it was not often mat
q man had the chsnce by single vo:e to make
President of the United States and the ser.
vice therefore ought to be worth larger sum.
Asher said himself that this was not enough.
The conclusion OF the conversation was this
He said, cashier, tell the man who has the
money that he has not got up to the price
yet" Levisee intended to convey the impress
sion that he would take 100000, but at the
same time put up the price SO high that it
could not be paid,
MacMahon-You thought the money was
lying around, and that the payment to you
would be all right.
Levsee-I did not say that. l had an intima-
ton twenty-four hours in advance that some
thing was going on, and this put me on my
guard. Informed Mr.. Pitkin. did this to
guard my political virtue. 1t may, gentlemen,
seem strange such thing should exist in
Louisiana. (Laughter.)
Levisee further said that in his conversation
with A sher he guessed what was coming be.
fore it was mentioned, and therefore was pre-
pared to meet him. he listened to Asher, in
stead of blufing him or calling in the police,
and listened 10 such a way as to give an Oppor-
tunity to Asher to develope his scheme. He
wanted Asher and everybody connected with
him to believe that the thing would succeed.
He merely wanted to draw Asher out. He
knew this was the only way to get at the bot
tom of the matter, and said to Asher,-"Tell
your hacker that Levisee is not unwilling to
consider your our proposition, providing you can
raise 5000, 000." He mentioned SO large sum
because he believed it could not be paid.
The eLtire conversation was had during
walk of half an hour, aud Mr.. Asher appOin-
ted second interview upon leaving the witness
which was to be held at the St. Charles hotel.
According to agreement they met, and he IN
formed the witness that the proposition would
have to be changed somewhat, and instead of
refusing to accept the certificate as an elector,
Levisee would be required to cast his vote
direct for Tilden. Before being asked by the
witress where the money was coming than. 1t
was intimated that Joe Hernandez, a broker
the city, would be responsible.
After saluting him and introducing Asher,
who did not know of him, he invited us to his
Office which was near by. Upon arriving at
the Office l excused myself and although
Hernandez insisted upon mylgoing in l went to
my house stating as l left that there was no
need of my going in as Asher could do all
the talking necessary.
(Hernapdez) told him that 800. 900 was the
extent he could go when Levisse said it was
not worth while to longer talk about the mat
ter. Levisee said be was never bribed nor did
he ever offer to bride anybody. In reply to
Mr.. MacMahon he said he never made an Aft
davit of the affair, though he entered into the
matter as means of political justice. Levisee
said he voted for Hayes and Wheeler.
Considerable discussion occurred in regard to
the official returns from Louisiana, and those
laid before the committee by the Secretary of
the Senate were called for and the witness
said portion of the documents which were
shown him were not signed by him (although
purporting to be) and consequently were forg-
cries.
The Florida Sub. Committee.
JACKSONVILLE, June GA. A. Allen testi-
fed before the investigating committee today
that in November, 1876, he was sheriff of
Baker county and made q canvass with a coun-
ty judge and justice of the peace of the cleo
ton. Was asked but declined to make cam
vass with Cox, the clerk. We decided to throw
away two precncts-Darby and johnson
ville-at the suggestion of Judge Diggers. the
reason given being that intimidation had been
practiced at one and illegal voting at the other.
The intimidation consisted in refusing to let a
man vote. There was no evidence before us in
the Johnsonviile precinct. 1t was charged that
three or four men that had voted didn't live in
the county. Their names had been added to
the registration list. We had no witnesses be-
fore us. That is all the reason know of for
throwing out the precincts. OF course the OBJ
BILE. 1 suggested we should have some afida-
Wits but Driggers said we had authority to
throw out the returns. No irregularity was
pointed out on the face OF the returns The
precincts thrown out changed the result OF the
whole county. In making the change it gave
the Republicans the majority. Mr.. Cox and
the justice had possession of the clerks Office
all day and staid until dark. We got ia by
Drggers' having key. Cox was not there.
We found the returns on the table. Diiggers
got them but we made no returns there. We
lust figured what would be the result of throw
ing out the precincts We went over to Capt.
Conavas house and filled out the blanks and
then went to the clerks Office and Drigger5 put
on the seal. 1 filed out the blanks; made only
one return; have never seen the returns since.
Judge Driggers took possession of it. A can.
vass of all the votes would have given the coun-
ty to the Democrats. In Jacksonville all the
votes were Democratic and there was Demo
cratic majority at the other precincts.
In answer 70 question by Mr.. Hiscock wit
ness said;
Mr.. Coke asked me on the 10th to canvass
and declined. He said he should go on. l
understood by Drggers that they had gone on
and made canvass. day or two before we
had made the canvass, one j. A. Barnett,
Democrat, asked me to sign Coxe's canvass.
l said would not. He said if l would there
was some money for me. l asked him how
much and he said $125 aud if would come
with him he would show me the man that had
the money. He took me IS Paris store where
l saw John E. Harirdge, Democrat of
Jacksonville, who said if l would sign the re-
turn that Coke made he would compensate me
for my trouble told him would not, that
it looked too much like a bribe. He said it
was NOT a bribe, but only to pay me for my
trouble.
LONDON, June 6.-Gov. Noyes, the American
minister to France, sailed today on the steamer
City of Richmond to give testestimony before
the Potter investigating committee at WASH
ington.
New ORLEANS, June 6.-Ex-M Marshal Piikip,
Senator Weber and Mrs. jerks left tonight
for Washington to appear before the Potter