The sun., 1878-06-13
LEVIsEE's BRIBERY sTORT.
Mr.. Joseph Hernandez Explains his csznsc-
tion with the Affair.

Regarding the charge of attempting to
bribe Judge Levsee, one ot tho Hayes electors,
Mr.. Joseph Hernandez sad. yesterday; The
evening before tho assembling Of the Electoral
College. IN 1876. two gentlemen friends of min"
sent Tor me and said they dr-irel to consult
with me concerning "A certa Prcs csidcutlul elec-
tor who had Just arrived IN thls. city from
Shreveport and who had expressed his cOnVic-
ton thnt 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 Republicans who. he believed, would surely
take his life unless he was offered protection by
the Democrats and furnished with mcans SUM-
cicnt to leave the state after casting his vote.
This mans name was \. B. Levis"e, said these
gentlemen. replied "a my friends that knew
Mr.. levseo very well. and asked for the par
Mr. Walter said that Capt Aiken. President oi
the Rcd River TRANSPORTATION Company, had
informed him that Judge levisee had come
wrll-known citizen Of that place, on the same
boat and that during the rip, which lasted Soy;
eral days Mr.. Asher ana Judge LeNlsec had
held long and frequent conversations on tho
subject OF the Pres dental election and that
Mr. Asher was satisfied that Levlsee could he
made to vote for liidrn II hls fears Tor ms liie
could be- quoted and a safe retreat provided for
him. WIS ther"upon requested I" see judge
lrvisre. and TO ascertain oNWtly what he de-
sired and what could hc done.
a short while ait"rtuis conversation with Mr..
Pugh he AMI walked To the corner of Common
ana CurOndelet, where W. met Mr.. Asher and
Judge levisee. Judge Leyisee greeted me very
cordially and introduced me To Mr. Asher,
was his friend, a.; II my suggestion We re-
tired Ia my Office which Is but two doors from
Common On Cqrondelet., At the, door Of my
ofllce Judge Levisee hesitated. remarking
that it might not be prudent for him To
be- seen entering my office he feared his
me- he said; Mir. Hcrnandez YOU may speak
very freely to Mr. Asher; He IL my friend and
whaifyer he says WI DO Speak to him as YOU
bade Us good night and left. and Mr.. Asher and
| entered my ofilcc, where Mr.. Asher, spoke in
really and consclentiously of the opinion thnt
Tildrn has carried Louisiana, and he IL very
much inclined to east his vote for Tilden in the
Electoral College, provided his life Is duly
protected and means sufficient furnished him
10 leave the state after casting his vote. Levi
"A speech already written which he will deliver
In explanation OF his vote for Tildrn.
II replied that, MS far as protection was con-
cerned, II was "A very easy matter To arrange. but
rs to the means to leave the State. how much.
said !. will Leyissee requiref
1.-Two hundred thousand dollars, said Asher.
Al TINS enormously prepost"rous propo-
sition could not rrpress my sense OF the ride
uous and laughed outright.
Mr.. Asher then said that Iovisee was deeply
impressed with the magnitude of the crisis The
Presidential question then pOrtended, that he
exert; that the Presidency OF the United States
literally rested upon his vote that IL was the
biggest thing that the most vivid Imagination
could conceive; that though he was convinced
Alr. Tilden had fairly carried Louisiana. yet II
he dared vote for him the ltepublicans would
never let nm I'VE IN the State; that lie had u
large family To provide Tor: that he would like
20 90 to England. and that 100000 would mako
him easy and comfortable. and would some
what compensate him for his exile in foreign
land.
TO all Of which answered that the sum was
much too large; that the best thought could
be done was tO fully protect IeViSec's life and
that probably could raise a fund of $4,000 to
enable him to place himself beyond the reach of
lepublican assassins, If he was disposed 10
do what he consclcntousy believed was right.
llr. Asher then left me- stating that he would
call again at my Office the next morning AT .
o'clock AT the appointed hour he came 10 my
office and reported that Leviseo had disap-
peared That he had waited for him. and after
Asher then went 10 the Custom House and
returned at l0,s O'Clock, sayingthAt Levisee was
IN the custom House under tho surveillance Of
the Republican leaders. and that no one was al
lowed TO SEQ him. From that moment until he
cast his vote Tor Hayes and Whreor, Lpvisoo
was never allowed hy the Repub cans to get
out of ihoir sight. This IL absolutely the whole
story said Mr.. Hernandez, and we then bade
him good laV