Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-06-27
LOONEY LEvISSEE.
Hcrnandes's Verston of the attempt to
Brittle the Louisiana Elector.

HcrnandeS's Verston of the attempt to
Brittle the Louisiana Elector.
New Orleans Democrat
Regarding the charge of attempting to
bride Judge Levisee, one of the HAYES cleo
tors, Mr.. Joseph Hernandez said, yesterday:
"Ihe evening before the assembling of th
electoral college, in 1876, two gentlemen
friends of mine sent for me, and said they
desired to consult with me concerning a GER
tain Presidential elector who had Just ar
rived in this city from Shreveport, and who
had expressed his conviction that Tilden had
really and fairly carried Louisiana, but who
was afraid to vote as his convictions and
conscience prompted, because of the rage
Such course would create among the Re-
publicans who, he believed, would surely take
his life unless he was offered protection by
the Democrats and furnished with means
sufficient to leave the State after casting his
| vote. This mans name was A. B. Levisee
said these gentlemen. replied to M friends
that l knew Mr.. Levisee very VII, and
asked for the PARTICULARS
''Mr. Walter said that Capt. Aiken, Presi-
dent of the Red river transportation COM
pany, had informed him that Judge Levisee
had come down from Shreveport with Mr..
S. M. Asher, a well-known citizen of that
| place, on the same boat, and that during the
trip, which lasted several days, Mr.. Asher
and Judge Levisee had held long and fire.
| quent 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 Quoted and safe retreat provided for
him. l was thereupon requested to see
Judge Levisee, and to ascertain exactly what
he desired and what could be done.
GA short while after this conversation with
Mr.. Pugh he and I 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 Ievisee) said was his FRIEND &c. At my
suggestion we retired to my Office, which is
but two doors from Common 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
ofice-he feared his steps might have been
logged. Turning to me he said: 'Mr.
Hernandez, you may speak very freely to
Mr.. Asher. He is my friend, and whatever
he says 1 will do. Speak to him as you
would to myself Saying this Judge Levisee
babe US good night and left, and Mr.. Asher
and | entered my Office, where Mr.. Asher
spoke in substance as follows. Said he:
'Levisee is really and conscientiously of the
opinion that Tilden has carried Louisiana,
| and he is very much inclined to cast his vote
for Tilden in the electoral college, provided
his life is duly protected, and means suf
| ficient furnished him to leave the State after
casting his vote. Leyisee is 80 much in
earnest about this that he has a speech al
ready written which he will deliver in OK
PLANTATION of his vote for Tilden.'
81 replied that, as far as protection was
concerned, it was very easy matter to ar
range, but as to the means to leave the State,
how much, said I, will Levisee?
1.-TWO hundred thousand dollars said
Asher.
"At this enormously preposterous propo-
sition could not repress my sense of the
| ridiculous and laughed outright.
| "Mr. Asher then said that Levisee was
deeply impressed with the magnitude of the
crisis the Presidential question then por
tended; that he felt the stupendous effect his
singlejvote must exert, that the Presidency
of the United States literally rested upon
his vote; that it was the biggest thing that
that though he was convinced Mr.. Tllden
had fairly carried 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
90 to England, and that 100000 would
make him easy and comfortable, and would
somewhat compensate him for his exile in a
foreign land.
"To all of which I answered that the sum
was much to large: that the best /
thought could be done was to fully protect
Levisee's life, and that probably | could
raise fund of $4,000 to enable him to
place himself beyond the reach of Republic
can assassins if he was disposed to do what
he conscientiously believed was right.
'sMr. Asher then left me, stating that he
would call at my office the next morning at
o'clock. At the appointed hour he came
to my Office and reported that Levisee had
: disappeared; that he had waited for him, and
afterward hunted for him, but without sue
cess. Mr.. Asher then went to the custom
house and returned at 1917 O'Clock, saying
that Levisee was in the custom house, undar
e the surveillance of the Republican leaders,
!; and that no one was allowed to see him
/, From that moment until he cast his vote for
. Hayes and Wheeler, Levisee was never al
! lowed by the Republicans to get out of then
! sight This is absolutely the whole story
8 said Mr.. Hernandez, and we then babe him