New-York tribune., 1876-06-17
THE STEVdRT WILL CASE.

The terms OF Mr.. Alexander /. OtcWdI1
will were surprise to the public. who had
supposed that the reticcnce OF his lie Ill re-
gard TO his benevolent intentions would then
cease: the transfer of the chief portion OF his
property to Judge Hilton was greater sur
prise: and now the contesting OF the VIII by u
body of suddenly discovered relatives makes
the whole matter more of puzzle than ever
The preliminary proceedings before the sur
rogate only reveal. IA yet, tie lines OF acton
which will be followed by the opposing par
ties: but the points at issue are such as re-
ouire comparatively little evidence, even
should the motion to vacate the probate OF
the will be granted. This motion, being based
upon the charge that the legal formality took
place at MIR. Stewards residence, on the even
ing of the funeral day, derives its chief I'M
portance from the other charges OF the claim
ants.
These are, first, that "undue influence y was
exercised upon Mr. Stewart in regard to the
provisions of his will and secondly, that he
had made another and later will. We suspect
that the transfer of 40 much Of the property
to Judge Hilton will be the pivot about which
the former of these pleas will turn-if the case
should proceed that far; the latter ought to
be susceptible of speedy proof, if true. But,
even in case no later will should be produced,
and that of 1873 were TO be invalldated by
evidence not yet offered and not conjecturable
at present there remains, according to Judge
Hilton. the will of 1855, which would be
prima .facie valid, and which equally bequeathes
the entire real and personal estate to Mrs.
Stewart.
- a, nj Rai1e
families To- gani The fact of distant relation
ship to the departed millionaire IA barren
satisfaction, unless n few Of his millions are
attached to the establishment of 1t. Their
counsel announce that no compromise OF the
matter will be entertained; consequently, If
they succeed in having the probate vacated,
they must prove relationship OF which Mr.
Stewart was either ignorant, or which he pur-
posely ignored, establish tine undue influ-
=" ence" of Mrs. Stewart and Judge Hilton and
whomsoeyer else may have been concerned,
and finally bring about the invalidation of all
wills, early or late. Until this is done, they
cannot touch n cent of the propcrty-except in
the way of compromise"
The pubic is no doubt quite as curious TO
discover the secret springs and propeling
forces of this case, a. it was in regard to those
of the will and transfer. We doubt whsther
either will ever be canddly revealed to the
world. Judge Hilton, who has exchanged his
unprecedented fee of one million for nobody
knows how many millions. will excite no par
ticular sympathy in the hearts of our citizens /;
and there is something in the position of the
Turney and Bailey families, to which the ten
der ties of blood, in the VEINS of others, will
scarcely respond. The proceedings will be fol-
lowed with a refreshing indifference, so far as
the interests of the main parties are concerned.
Yet 10 one would withhold the heartiest SYM
pathy for Mrs. Stewart, who seems desirous
only to Use her still great wealth (after de-
ducting all that has been transferred) in be-
neficent gifts, were it not that the annuling of
all wills would leave her probably more than
she at present possesses.
Alexander Il. Stewart was considered mar
vel of business sagacty during his life; but
there proves to have been much less shrewd-
ness in his brain than in Peter CoOpcrs heart.