Eureka weekly sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1887-1902, 1898-03-26
His Jealous Interest in the tRairS of
Nevada.
Twnty-FOur Years Active Srvice i'm
the United States Senae.

Befo Nevada became a State wher
1t was part of Utah, William NJ
Stewai became a citizen and entered
into tb affairs OF the country. Thil
was inApril, 1860. He was foremost
as mar will remember, in the litiga.
tion wich resulted in the settlement
OF the ties to the Comstock Lode land
the mf conspicuous figure. He him
self vs. interested in mining and
millineo a very large extent. In 1861
In connection with his partner Kirk.
patrick he built quartz mill a short
distano below Gold Hill, and was al
30 one-lird owner in mill that was
construed the same year on the Car.
son rive He also in the same year
built in onnection with John Atch-
ison, thSStone House in Carson City
now owed by Jacob Kleine. In the
Fall OF l61 he was elected by the
people Carson to the Territorial
Legislatie Council and succeeded in
securing he location of the capitol at
Carson Cty. He served in the first
constitutional convention held in the
territory. In 1852 he built costly
residence in Virginia City. In the
Fall of lS4 he was elected to the
United Sites Senate.
The qustion at that time Outside
OF the war which engaged the atten-
ton OF thepeople Of the mining States
and Territories Of the West was
whether heir mining possessions
should be legalized and their rights
recognized by the general govern
ment, or the mining lands sold at auc-
ton In lega subdivisions to the high
est bidder snd the purchasers put and
kept In possession by o sufficient
army.
The fight that Senator Stewart
made for the miners In 1890 was most
remarkable. Mr.. Julian, Chairman
Of the Committee on Public Lands Of
Of the House OF Representatives, had
oeenstwice elected on q platform OF the
sale OF mineral lands at auction for
The purpose Of carrying On the war.
Mr.. Julian was instructed by @ more
han two-thirds vote OF the House of
representatives to bring in q bill for
nat purpose and to provide q sufa-
lent army to protect the purchasers.
Or. Stewart, aided by Senator Con.
less and his colleague Senator Nye,
ucceeded in passing a bill through
he Senate which recognized the rights
I the miners. The bill went to the
Dot OF the calendar in the House and
eemed in q hopeless condition. To
xtricate 1t and put II on the calendar
Vhere IL would be reached, Mr.. Stew
IT attached 1t as an amendment to
he bill which had passed the House.
egulating ditch rights, and thus the
itle OF the FIRST mining law had ref
renee to the rights. Of the owners Of
Iitches.
The Chairman OF the Committee on
'ublic Lands, Mr.. Julian. reported
his bill and Mr.. Stewart in the mean
lme had prepared the House to vote
I'm down and pass the Senate bill.
1t so happened that the three SEN
tors, Conness, Nye and Stewart, had
ne casting vote on many important
uestions which were then pending.
he location of two or three navy
ards hung in the balance. 1t was ar
Anged to locate League Island in
'ennsylvania and several in New Eng
ano' provided the miners rights
you'd be respected.
Mr.. Stewart justified the trading he
i'd on that occasion on the ground
nat it saved the miners OF the West
rom confiscation of their property.
rom that time until 1872 he occupied
imself in consultation with those in
crested with the miners, and finally
fected the passage of the law of 1872
'hich still remains. 1t may need
mendment now. but the people have
cen SO well satisfied that it has re-
,ained on the statute books for twen-
y-five years.
Mr.. Stewart gave his undivided ef-
'rts to the establishment OF mint in
Ievada, and although his colleague
'as earnestly for the mint, Mr.. Stew.
- must have the credit Of snsiussr.