Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1878-06-28
LEvISEE'S BRIBERY STORY.
Mr.. Joseph Hernandez Explains His Cennec-
ton with the Affair.

ton with the Affair.
From the New Orleans Democrat
Regarding the charge of attempt
ing to bride Joseph Levisee, one of
the Hayes electors, Mr.. Joseph
Hernandez said, yesterday: "The
evening before the assembling of
the Electoral College, in 1876. two
gentlemen friends of mine sent for
me, and said they desired to consult
with me concerning certain
Presidential elector who had Just
arrived in the city from Shreve-
port, and who had expressed his
conviction that Tilden had really
and fairly carried Louisiana, but
who was afraid to vote as his con.
victions and conscience prompted,
because of the rage such course
would create among the Republic
cans who, he believed, would
surely take his life unless he was
offered protection by the Demo-
Gratis aud furnished with means
sufficient to leave the State after
casting his vote. This mans name
was A. b. Levisee, said these gen.
tlemen. replied to my friends
that knew Mr.. Levisee very we'll,
and asked for the particulars.
"Mr. Walter said that Capt.
Aiken, President of the Red River
Transportation Company, had in
formed him that Judge Levisee had
come down from Shreveport with
Mr.. 8. NJ. Asher, a we'll known cit-
izen of that place, OH tho same
boat, and that during the trip,
which lasted several days, Mr..
Asher and Judge I.evisee had held
long and frequent conversations on
the subject of the Presidential
election, and that Mr.. Asher was
satisfied that Levisee could be
made to vote for Tilden if his fears
for his life could be quieted and "a
safe retreat provided for him. /
was thereupon requested to SEQ
Judge Levisee, and to ascertain ex.
actly what he desired and what
could be done.
"a short while after this CONVEX
sation with Mr.. Pugb, he and 1
walked to the corner of Common
and Carondelet, where we met Mr..
Asher and Judge Levisee. Judge
Levisee greeted me very cordially
and introduced me to Mr.. Asher,
whom I did not know, who he
(Livisee) said was his friend, &c.
At my suggestion we retired to my
office, which is but two doors from
Com mon on Carondelet. At the
door of my office Judge Levisee
hesitated, remarking that it might
not be prudent for him to be seen
entering my Office - he feared
his steps might have been logged.
Turning to me he said: sMr. Her.
nandez, you may speak very freely
to Mr.. Asher. He is my friend,
and whatever he says will do.
Speak to him as you would to my
SELF Saying this, Judge Levisee
babe us good night and left, and
Mr.. Asher and I entered my Office,
where Mr.. Asher spoke in sub
stance as follows: Said he: Lev
isee is really and conscientiously
of the opinion that Tilden has car
ried Louisiana, and he is very
much inclined to cast his vote for
Tilden in the Electoral College,
provided his life ia duly protected,
and means sufficient furnished him
to leave the State after casting his
vote. Levisee Is so much in earn
est about this that he has speech
already written which he will de-
liver in explanation of his vote for
Tilden.'
II replied that, as far as protec-
ton was concerned, it was very
easy matter to arrange, but as to
the means to leave the State, how
much, said 1, will Levisee require?
"'rwo hundred thousand dol
lars,' said Asher.
cat this enormously preposter-
Gus proposition I could not repress
my sense Of the ridiculous aud
laughed outright.
"Mr. Asher then said that Lee
visee was deeply impressed with
the magnitude OF the crisis the
Presidential question then portenCs
ed; that he felt the stupendous ef.
feet his single vote must exert; that
the Presidency of the United States
literally rested upon his vote; that
it was the biggest thing that the
most vivid imagination could con-
ceive; that though lie was con
WINGED Mr.. Tilden had fairly car
ried Louisiana, yet if he dared vote
for him the Republicans would
never let him live in the State; that
he had large family to provide
for; that he would like to 60 TO
England, and that S200,000 would
make him easy and comfortable,
and would somewhat compensate
him for his exile In foreign land,
''ro all of which I answered that
the sum was much too large; that
the best thought could be done
was to fully protect Levisee's
life, and that probably 1 could
raise fund of $4,000 to enable
him to place himself beyond the
reach Of Republican assassins, II
he was disposed to do what he con-
scientiously believed was right.
"Mr. Asher then left me, stating
that he would call again at my
Office the next morning at 8 O'Clock.
At the appointed hour be came to
my Office and reported that Levisee
had disappeared; that he had watt
ed for him, and afterward hunted
for him, but without success. Mr..
Asher then went to the Custom
House and returned at 104 O'Clock,
saying that Levisee was in the
CdstoI, House, under the surveil
lance of tile Republican leaders,
and that no one was allowed to see
him. From that moment until he