The Wadsworth dispatch. [volume] (Wadsworth, Nev.) 1892-1899, 1898-03-23
SENATOR STEWART.
Review of His Work in the Sen
ate and Why He Should
Be Returned.

Before Nevada became a state, when
it was II part OF Utah, William NJ. Stew
art become a citizen and entered into
the affairs OF the country. This was in
April 1861. He was foremost, as many
will remember, in the litigation which
resulted in the settlement oil the titles to
the Comstock Lode, and the most con-
spicious figure. He himself was inter-
ested in mining and milling to a very
large extent. In 1861, in connection
with his partner kirkpatrick, he built a
quartz mill a short distance below Gold
Hill, and was also one-third owner in a
mill that was constructed the same year
on the Carson river. He also i'll he
same year built in connection with John
Atchison, the Stone House i'll Carson
City now owned 10y jacob kleine. In
the fall of 1861 he was elected by the
people of Carson to the Territorial Leg
~islative Council and succeeded in secur-
ing the location OF the capitol at Carson
City. He served in the first conslitu-
tional convention that was held in the
territory. In 1862 he built a costly resi-
residence in Virginia City. In the fall
OF 1864 he was elected to the United
States Senate.
The question at that time (outside OF
the war; which engaged the attention of
the people OF the mining States and ter
ritories OF the West was, whether their
mining possessions should be legalized
and their rights recognized by the gem
eral government, or the mining lands
sold at auction in legal subdivisions to
the highest bidder and the purchasers
put and kept in possession by a suttici-
n standing army.
The fight that Senator Stewart made
for the miners in 1856 was most remark
able. Mr.. Julian, Chairman OF the Com
mittee on Public Lands OF the House OF
Representatives, had been twice elected
on u platform OF the sale OF the mineral
lands at auction for the purpose OF carry
ing on the war. Mr.. Julian was instruct
ed by a more than t%wo-thirds vote of
the House Of Representatives to bring
in a bill for that purpose and to provide
u sufficient army to protect the pur-
chasers. MIR. Stewart, aided by Senator
CONFESS and his colleague. Senator Nye,
succeeding in passing a bill through the
Senate, which recognized the rights of
the miners. The bill went to the foot OF
the calender in the House and seemed
in a hopeless condition. To extricate it
and put it on the calender where it would
be reached, Mr.. Stewart attached it as
an amendment to the bill which had
passed the House regulating ditch rights,
and thus the title vi the first mining law
had reference to the rights Of the owners
OF bitches.
The Chairman of the Committee on
Public Lands, MIR. Julian, reported this
bill and Mr.. Stewart in the meantime
had prepared the house to vote him
down and pass the Senate bill.
1t so happened that the three Senators
Conness. Nye and Stewart had the cast
ing vote on many important questions
which were then pending. The location
of two or three navy yards hung in the
balance. 1t was arranged to locate
League Island in Pennsylvania and sew
eral in New England, provided the
miners rights would be respected.
Mr.. Stewart justified the trading he
did on that occasion on the ground that
it saved the miners of the West from
contiscation OF their property. From
that time until 1872 he occupied himself
in consultation with those interested
with the miners and finally effected the
passage OF the law in 1872, which still
remains. 1t may need amendment now,
but the people have been so we'll salts
heh that it has remained on the statute
books for twenty-five years.
MIR. Stewart gave his undivided efforts
to the establishment OF a mint in Nevada
and, although his colleague was earnest
ly Tor the mint. Mr.. Stewart must have
the credit OF engineering and securing
the passage OF the bill. Mr.. Stewart was
then out OF the Senate for twelve wears.
Since his return to that body he has
been working in season and out OF sea-
son for the great cause oil the restora-
tion OF silver, upon which the prosperity
OF the whole world largely depends. He
Is a most earnest worker. He works
night and day for the great cause and to
his unceaslne efforts must be attributed