The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-06-07
was called on as a witness at his lodgings


next morning On important business, but
before that hour, johnson called at the
witness lodgings and made an engage
ment with him to meet Asher 81 one
o'clock
Tie ladies of the Rouse told the witness
they were under the impression, Judging
from the conversation and manner OF
johnson, that he was desirous OF maxim 2
u bargain with the witness to change his
vote, and stating as their reason Tor so
believing that remark was made ov
johnson, the effect OF which was that if |
was in Lsvissee's shoes would make
100000. johnson, the witness said, was
Intimately acquainted with the ladies OF
the house.
Mr.. Mcmahon here produced ote,
and the witness recognized 1t Us the one
left by johnson when he first called.
Continuing, Levissee said, Asher was
previously cashier of bank in Shreve-
port, but at the time in question he was
in New Orleans transscting private bua-
ness.
Mr.. McMahon requested the witness to
state, as near as he could remember, the
conversation between himself and
Asher regarding the transaction. In
reply he said that sitter some preliminary
remarks Asher asked him if he would
be willing to accept u round sum, say
1000 or $4,000, and refuse to accept!
his certificate of election as electOr.
Levisee said he did resign on the advice
of his friends, whom he bad consulted,
including Beckwith, Judge Campbell
and Jonn Ray. He resigned because he
thought he was ineligible At the time he
filed the office. He was not advised, nor
did he understand that he would be elect
ed to fiji the vacancy, bat it was possible
such would be the case. AS to the offer
of thirty or forty thousand dollars, he
SAID it was not often man had a chance
80 simple 10 make President OF the
United States, and the service therefore
ought to be worth large sum. Asher said
it was not enough. The conclusion Of
the conversation was this: He said TO
Asher, Tell your man who has the
money that he has no. got up to the
price vet" Levissee intended to convey
the impression that he would take two
hundred thousand dollars, but at the
same time intending to put up the price
so high that the sum could not be paid.
Mr.. McMahou-You thought money
was lying round; that payment to you
would be all right?
Levissee-I did not say that. l had
information twenty-four hours in ad-
vance that something wrong was going
on, and this put me on my guara.
| informed Pitkin, or Lousians,
and l did this to guard nay
political virtue. II may, gentle
men, seem strange that such
thing should exist IN Louisiana Laugh
teri Mr.. Levissee further said that In
mis- conversation with Asher, he guessed
what was coming before II was men
toned, and therefore was prepared to
n eet him. lie listened TO Asher, instead
OF bluffing HIM or calling the police, and
listened in such a way rs to give an Cp-
porlupity to Asher TO duvclope h!s
scheme. lie wanted Asher and every
BODY connected with him TO believe tina.
the thing would succeed. lie Tcrely
wanted TO draw Asher out. lie knew
this was the only way TO get at the bot.
tom of the matter and he sald TO Asher
"Tell your bscker that LeylsSeo Is not
unwilling to consider your proposition,
providing YOU can raise two hundred
thousand dollars. lie named so large 3
sum because he knew or believed
that it could not be paid. The
entire conversation Wa had during
walk of half an hour. Asher appointed
second interview at the st. Charles
Hotel. Accordingly they met, and Asher
informed witness that the proposition
would have to be changed somewhat,
and instead of refusing to accept
the certificate as eleCtor Levlssee
would be required to cast his vote direct
for Tilden. Upon being asked by wit.
ness where the money WAS coming IRON
Asher said: I'VE will walk Ia the cor
ner of CSrondolet and Common streets.
There We will see two men st&ndlpg IN
the glimmer of the gas light. Oae OF
them will retire rs we approach, aud
the one remaining you will under
stand ia the man you are looking
for. We went to designated place and
found the men mentioned. As We
spprosched one withdrew 50 quickly that
had | known him should not have recog-
nIZed him. The person remaining was
.Ioe Hernandez, broker in New
Orleans. After saluting him aad intro
ducing Asher, who did not know him, he
invited us to his office, which was near
by. Upon arriving at his office l excused
myself and although Hernandez insisted
upon my going in l went home, stating
that there was no Iced of my going
in as Asher could do all the talking neces-
sary.
That closed the second and third inter-
views. Levlssee met Hernapdcz alter
wards, and Hernandez told MIN that one
hundred thousand dollars WAS the extent
he could 90, when Lcvcssee said It was
no. worth while to longer talk about the
matter. Levissee said ne was never
bribed nor did he ever offer to brlbe any
body.
In reply to McMshon he SAID ne never
made affidavit OF the affair, though he
entered into the matter as means OF
politicsl Justice. LeYissee said he voted
for llANes anu w LccISl. NSA4SAN'N' 49,
discussion occurred in regard to the Oh
fetal returns from Louisiana, and those
laid before the Committee by the Secre-
tsry of the Senate were called Tor. Inc
witness said q portion of the documents
shown him were Lot signed by him, al
though p@rporting to be and consequent
ly we're forgeTles
InteresIiug Correspondence.
The following are letters not hereto
fore published, which were received from
Senator Matthews and placed II evil
denCe:
Custom House, New ORLEANS, |
March -, 1877. !
DEAR SIR-As soon IS the commission
is appointed, please write me definite IN
strucLions. Nash will be here this week,
and will demand the possession OF that
agreement. After CHEERING me possible
cierkship, of course thsil decline.
Shall 1 inform him that it is IN your pos
session. Truly yours,