The National tribune., 1909-02-25

years developed the unbroken, savage
| haunted wilderness of the West into
| thriving, civilized communities. His
mental alertness and decision are such
as to go well with~nis commanding ap-
pearance. In talking with him one
| readily understands how he has been a
pder among the great men of our
greatest period. Since he has retired
from the Senate he has been engaged
| in his law practice, and has charge of
extensive interests in the Far West,
especially the great mining operations
| with which he has been actively and
prominently connected for more than
a half century.
He was born in Lyons, N Y. Aug.
9, 1927, but was taken by his parents
TO Trumbull County, Ohio, became a
teacher of mathematics, entered Yale
College, and remained there until the
Winter of 1849-50, when he caught the
gold fever and went to California,
where he had some good luck. This
enabled him to devote himself to the
study of law. He became District Attor-
ney, and then AttOrney-General of CAL
ifornia in 1854. He saw the possibili-
ties of the country which is now Ne
vada, and moved to Virginia City in
1860. where he became a noted expert
in the troublesome mining litigation
of those days. His greatest case was
great Comstock Lode. upon which were
built the colossal fortunes of Mackey,
Fair. Flood and O'Brien, the once noted
Bonanza Kings. He was active in the
politics of the Territory, chosen a mem
ber of the Territorial Council in 1861.
of the Constitutional Convention in
1861. of the Constitutional Convention
IN 1863. and elected to the United
States Senate in 1864. He was re-
elected in 1869. but in 1875 returned
to the practice of the law in Nevada.
California and the Pacific Coast gen.
orally. He was reelected to the Sem
ate as Republican in 1887 to succeed
James d. Fair, Democrat, and was re-
elected in 1893 and 1899.
Senator Stewart was one of the Sill
yer Senator'S. and for long time led
the forces in the great fight for the re-
monetization of the white metal" To
National Tribune representative he
said:
'T went out to the Pacific Coast some
years prior to the war, and in the course
of time was attracted by the rich pros
poets of what is now Nevada. Like
the rest of the people of the country,
[ was intensely interested in the great
debate between Douglas and Lincoln
in 1858, and read the reports of the
speeches thru with the deepest atten-
tion. 1 was particularly interested in
Mr. Lincoln's arguments. Altho 1 was
Democrat, 1 was opposed to slavery,
and thought it very unfortunate that
that institution had been forced upon
us. l took no part in the Presidential
election of 1860, because I was then a
resident of that part of the Territory
of Utah which afterwards became Ne
vada. 1 was deeply interested in min
ing matters, and the DEVELOPMENT of
the mineral interests of that wonderful
country, and as lawyer l was engaged
in all the great litigation connected
with the establishment of the owner
ship of what were subsequently, known
as the Bonanza Mines. I was success
full in settling the dispute as to the title
to the mines of the wonderful, rich
Comstock Lode.
Admission OF Nevada.
when the Territory of Nevada was |
formed in 1861, 1 was sent to the Leg
islature, and served in assisting in the
of the Territory. In the
Spring of 1854 Congress passed an en-
abling act to erect the Territory into
a State. 1t was felt at that time that it
was necessary to have more new States
in order to secure the constitutional
embodying the results of
the great war. Recognizing it as a pa
triotic duty, the people of Nevada
duoptCu al SoHStitullOl ana applied FOR
Statehood. The Constitution prohibits
ed slavery. and provided that the State
should remain indissolubly in the
Union. The election took place Oct. 4.
1864, with a decisive vote in favor of Il
and Oct. 81. 1865, Lincoln
ssued his proclamation admitting the
State.
'.At the first session of the Legisla-
ure in the following December / was
elected Senator on the first ballot. The
var had then progressed until the be-
ginning of the end was visible. NC
1lellan had been defeated in the Fall I
election. while running on a platform |
declaring the war failure and asking I
or the cessation of hostilities that an
opportunity might be had for settle t
nent by negotiations. Immediately l
fter my election 1 came on to WASH I
ngton to see Mr.. Lincoln with regard
s many important matters connected e
nth my new State. AS the Senator 4
rom new State it was very necessary In
Or me to see the President quite often Ii
n my States account, and President + o
lincoln, for the same reason, desired t
see me often. He appreciated to the Il
.