The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-06-06
WASHINGTON.
The Potter Investigating Committee.


WASHINGTON, June 5.-The investiga-
tion into the alleged Louisiana and Florida
frauds was continued to-day.
Cox, of the committee, said be had
received from Stanly Matthews the orig
inals of the correspondence between him
and JAS. &. Anderson, which the clerk
read. The letters appeared in Ander
son previous testimony with the excep
ton of one, dated Philadelphia, prll 231,
wherein Anderson resigned all claims upon
the administration, requesting Matthews
to secure for friend of his in the Office OF
the North american newspaper, position
worth from 200 to 400 dollars per annum
IN the Philadelphia custom house.
Butler offered the following resolution,
and it was unanimously adopted:
ReS0lUed, That the Hon. Stanley Mat
thews, be invited to appear before this
committee at his convenience and make
any explanation regarding the letters from
Mr.. Anderson to himself, just read, as he
may desire, and to answer such questions
as may be pertinent to the subject under
| investigation.
Judge A. B. Levissee, of Louisiana, a
practiciDg attorney in this city, was
sworn, but befoIe the examination was
begun some of the committee wishing to
interrupting the investigation.
Judge Levissee testified he had been
offered by one Asher, hundred
thousand dollars to cast his vote as elector
for Tilden. Asher was the only person
who had spoken to witness on the subject.
Another person named johnson, formerly
| H. I
of representatives. called on witness at
his lodgings and not finding him left
note stating that he, johnson, desired to
meet witness the next morning on import
ant business, but before the appointed
time johnson called at witness lodgings
and appointed latter hour. The ladies
Of the house told witness they were under
the impression, Judging from the converse
tion and maDner OF johnson that he was
desirous of making bargain with witness
to change his vote and stating as their
reason for so saying that the remark was
made by johnson the effect Of which was
ii I was in Levissee's shoes would make
100, 900 dollars out Of it." johnson. the
witness said, was intimately acquainted
t with the ladies of the house.
t McMahon here produced a note and
! witness recognized it as the one left by
e johnson when first called. Levissee said
= Asher was previously cashier OF the bank
10 Shreveport. At the time in question
he was in New Orleans transacting private
business,
McMahon requested witness to state as
near as he could. remember the conversa
ton between himself and Asher regardnl
the transaction. In reply be stated. after
II, A A1ha i-aI
, him if he would be willing to accept d
round SUM, say thirty or forty thousaDC
dollars, and refuse to accept his .certihcatt
OF election as eiector, witness did resigI
on the advice Of his friends whom he haC
consulted, including Beckwith Judg'
- Campbell, and John Ray. He resigne'
because he thought he was ineligible as b.
at that time filled federal office; he wa
not advised, nor did he understand, b.
would be elected to fill his own vacancy
& but thought it possible such would b
= the ease; as to the offer o
thirty or fOrty thousand dollar
lit was not often man had
chance by simple vote to make a pres
y ident of the United States, and the ser
: vices therefore ought to be worth large
sum, Asher said it was not enough. 1h
conclusion of the conversation was this
\ lie said to Asher, tell your man who ha
4 the money he has not got up 10 the prlc
Z vet. Levissee Intended to convey tn
1 impression he would ia ke 100000, tu
} at the same time intended to put up tn
price SO high that the sum could not
G. paid.
- Mcmahon; you thought the money va
~ living around, that payment to you Woul
be all right?
Levissee. | did not say that; | had a
~ intimation twenty four hours in advance
II something wrong was going on and thl
=. put me on my guard informed PitkiI
n of Louisiana, and did this to guard N
political virtue. 1t may, gentlemen, seeI
c. strange that such things could exist
ch Louisiana. (Laughter.) ln his conversi
ed tion with Asher he guessed what wa
coming before it was mentioned and ther,
-ly fore was prepared to meet him. d
listened to Asher instead of blufhng hi
nd or calling the police, and listened in sue
way as to give an opportunity to Ashs
lr- to develop his scheme, He wante
Asher and everybody connected with hi
to believe the thing would succeed; |
mostly wanted to draw Asher out;
knew this was the only way to get at ii
- bottom. of the matter. and he sald
), Asher: "Tell your hacker that Leviss'
" is not unwilling to consider your propos
'i ton providing you can raise two hundr'
le thousand dollars.
80 The entire conversation was had duTiI
: a walk of half an hour. Asher appoiut'
J.. second interview at the St. Charles hot
. accordingly they met and Asher inform.
n. witness the proposition would have to
~ changed somewhat. and instead OF refuslI
1e to accept q certificate as elector Lewis
would be required to cast his vote dire
he he for Tilden; upon being asked by witne
where the money was coming from, Ash
ngy said. I'VE will walk to the corner of
nd rondolet and Commen streets and there
will see two men standing in the glimm
BE of gas light one of them "
= retire as we approach and the o