Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-06-07
The Potter Investigation
THE CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN
MATTHEW AND ANDERSON.
Stanley Motthews Invited to Appear Be-
fore the Committee.
IMPORTANT TE>TIMONY JUDGE
LENIssE OF LOUISIANA.
He was Offered 100000 to Vote for
Samuel j.. Tllden.

WASHINGTON, June 6. The Potter investgat-
irg committee met a, ll.40 to-day.
Mr. Cox said that he had received from Hon
Stanley Matthews the original of the CORES pond
ence which passed betweea that gentleman and
James b. Anderson, and the clerk was ordered 10
read the same.
Mr. Butler then offered the following resolution
which WAS unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That Hon. Stanley Matthews be in
vited to appear before this committee at his con
venlence, aud make any explanation regarding
the letteIs from Nr. Andtrs to himself Just
read as he may desire, and to answer such ques-
hons AS may be pertinent to the subject under in
vestlgatiou.
Judge A. b. Levi.se of Louisians. at present
practlcing attorney in this city, was sworp and
ms examination proceeded with.
lie testified that he appeared as a witness be-
tore the iiouse-oenate investigating committee,
aud had been offered by one Mr. Asher $50 900 to
cast vote as elect0r for TIlden. Asher was the
only person who had spoken to witness on the
subject
Another person named johnson, formerly Ser
geant-st-arms in the Louisiana House of Repre-
seniatives, had called on Levi,se at his lodgings
anu not hnding him III left note stating That he
desifed TO meet witnesses at u certain hotel at Q
O'Clock the next morning, on important business.
but before that hour Johnson called at Levisse's
lodgings and made an engagement with Levsse
to meet with Asher at o'clock.
lhe ladies OF the house had told witness that
conversation and manner of johnson, that he was
desrous of making u bargain with witness to
change his vote, and stating as their reason that
the remark was made by johnson, the effect OF
which was at was IN Levisse's shoes | would
make n bundled thousand out of it,"
johnson, witness said, was intimately acquaipt
ed with the ladies of the house.
MIR. MacMahon here produced note and wit
ness recognized 1t as the one h by johnson when
he called.
Continuing, Levisse said Asher was previously
cashier OF bank in Shreveport, and at the inqui-
sition was in New Orleans transactng private
business.
MIR. MacMshon requested the witness to state
as near rs he could remember, the conversation
between himself and Asher.
witness stated that after some preliminary re-
marks Asher proceeded, asking him if he would
be willing to accept found sum of say $50 900 OF
sio,Coo, aud refuse to accept his certificate OF
election as elector.
Leyissc said he did resign on the advice of his
friends with whom he had consultation, including
Beckwith, Judge Campbell and John Ray. lie
resigned because he thought he was inelg ible a.
he at that time filled federal office. He wa, not
advised, nor did he understand that he would be
elected TO ill his own vacancy, but thought il DOS
sbe such would be the case.
As TO The offer of $50 900 or $40 000 he replied
II was not often that man had chance by SIN
gle vote, to make a President of the United States
and the service therefore ought to be worth a
large sum.
Asher said himself that this was not enough
The cone usioh OF the conversation was this lie
said, asher, tell your man who hs, the money
he has not got up to the price yet"
Levi.se intended to convey the impresso ion that
DE would take 900, but ut the same time
intended to put up the PRICE so high that 1t coula
not be paid.
MacNshon-You thought that the money was
ying round, and that the payment to you would
be all right.
Levisse-I did not say that. had an intima-
ton, twenty four hours IN advance, that some
thing wrong " going on, and this put me on
my guard. informed Mr.. Pukius OF this. did
this to guard my political virtue. 1t NAV, gentle
men, seem strange thing that such a thing
should exist In Louisiana. l.aughter.
LevIsse further said that 10 his conversation
with Asher he guessed what was coming before it
was mentioned and therefore was prepared to
TO meet him. tie listened to Asher instead of
bluffing him or calling in the police, and listened
IN such way As 10 give an opportunity to Asher
10 develop his scheme. He waited Asher aud ev-
eryeody connec ID with HIN 10 believe the hing
would succeed. He merely wanted 10 draw Ash
er ont. he knew this was the only way to get at
the bottom OF the matter. and sand to Asher, Tell
your hacker that LevIsse is not unwilling 10 con-
sdtr your proposition, providing you raise
500 O00."
He mentioned so large a sum because he beliey.
ed it could not be paid.
The entire conversation was had during q walk
of an hour, and Mr.. Asher appointed second in
terview upon leaving the witness, which was to
be held Ut the st. Charles Hotel According TO
agreement they met, aud he informed the witness
that the proposition would have to be changed
somewhat, aud instead of refusing to accept the
certificate IS Al elector, Levi>se would be requr-
ed 10 cast his vote direct for Tiden.
Upon being asked by witness where the money
was coming from, Asher said 1--WE will walk to
the corner Of Carondelet and Common streets,
and there we Will see two men standing in the
glimmer OF the gas Ii. hi. One of them will re.
tire as we approach, aud the one remaining you
Will understand Is the one you are looking for.
Accordingly, At the designated place We found the
men mentioned, end as we approached one OF
them withdrew so quickly that had known him
sho I'D not have recognized him. l recognized
the party VINO remained as Joe Hernandt Z, a bro
ker III the city. Aver salutng him and lntroduc-
Ing Asher who did not know him) he invited US
into his Office, which was near BY. Upon arriving
al the office excused my self, aud although Her
nADd.z insisted upon my going 10, | went homo
stating rs leit tnat there no need of my 20
ing In, as Asher could do all the talking necessa-
ry.