Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1901-10-31

SE1 MUURS hECUhDs
James M. Seymour was born in New
York. He served his apprenticeship as
machinist with the Novelty Iron Works of
New York City, at that time the largest
machine works in this country, and was
afterwards advanced to the engineering de-
partment, where he completed his term Of
service as draughtsman, etc.
Desiring to obtain thorough knowledge
of locomotive work, he procured employ
ment with the New York and Erie Railway
Company, taking up all branches of the
trade, including that of locomotive engi-
neer. He was then engaged by the Newark
Machine Company to take charge of the
designing department of their works in
Newark.
In 1862, when the Sharp Rifle Manu-
featuring Company of Hartford, Conn.,,
received the contract for gun machinery
for the Spanish armory at Oveido, Spain,
Mr.. Seymour was selected to superintend
its construction. He was afterwards en-
gagged to prepare drawings for the machin-
cry to be used i'll making guns for the
Boston armory, and reported the progress
of the work twice each week to Governor
Andrews, the War Governor Of Massa-
chusetts. Mr.. Seymour began raising a
regiment of Volunteers, and had secured
about forty men, when he mentioned the
fact to Governor Andrews, who insisted
that Mr. Seymour abandon the matter, be-
cause he could be of more service to the
government in the work in which he was
engaged, and no one could be secured to
take his place.
He then returned to New Jersey and
was made General Superintendent OF the
New Jersey Arms and Ordinance Works,
at Trenton, which employed between 500
and 800 men. While in charge of these
works an attempt was made by the Com
pany to reduce wages, which was objected
to by Mr.. Seymour. He declared that il
it was enforced he would resign his posi-
ton. This declaration succeeded in pre-
venting the reduction. AS token of his
loyalty to his men they presented him with
silver service, which he still holds in
kind remembrance.
In 1865 he became the senior member OF
the engineering firm of Seymour & Whit
lock, in Newark, which has continued in
business ever since. There has never been
reduction in wages of the employees OF
has ever occurred in their factory.
In 1884, and again in 1887, Mr.. Seymour
was elected Democratic member of the
Newark Aqueduct Board-since abolished.
In 1886, when a member of this Board
now known as the Board of Street and
Water Commissioners of the City of New
ark-he introduced resolution abolishing
certain contract work. He contended that
the profits which went into the pockets Of
the contractors ought to go to the men who
did the work. His contention resulted in
an increase in the wages of workmen, which,
through his efforts, they enjoyed during his
connection with the Board
While in said Board, he introduced a
resolution giving all employees, including
laborers, a Saturday half-holiday, which he
kept in force during his term of Office, and
which, through his efforts, resulted in the
closing of public and private business at
noon on Saturday in this State.
In 1888 Mr.. Seymour was appointed
United States Commissioner to Spain by
President Cleveland.
In 1891, Governor Albeit appointed him
State Supervisor of Prisons, which position
he held from 1891 to 1894, and while
Supervisor his interest in behalf of honest
labor was made manifest by his insistment
upon the enforcement of the law that all
goods made in the State Prison should be
plainly and conspicuously marked ssManu-
featured in the New jersey State Prison, y
for the protection of honest labor against
cheap prison work
In 1898, he was nominated for Alderman
by the Democratic party in the Eighth
wi &c 81 II
now, overwhelmingly Republican, and came
within 36 votes of election.
In 1894, Mr.. Seymour was appointed by
Governor Werts member of the State
Board of Education and is still a member
of said Board, having been re-appointed
by Governor Voorhees,.
In 1894, he received the Democratic
nomination for Mayor of Newark, and
although he led his ticket by nearly 1000
votes, he was defeated.
In 1885, he was nominated for member of
Assembly and carried the city, but was
defeated in the entire county.
In 1896, he was again nominated for
Mayor of Newark and received a plurality
of 8, 1863 over julius A. Lebkuecher, who
had defeated him two years before. At
this election the Republicans carried the
City of Newark by 1854.
In 1898, he was again elected Mayor OF
the City of Newark by 3, 1873 over John
C. Eisele, an ex-Assemblyman and very
prominent in labor circles. In that year
the Democratic ticket carried the City Of
Newark by 1913.
When Mr.. Seymour was first elected
Mayor of Newark, the fremen were re-
quired to do carpenter work, painting,
repairing of frewagons and apparatus,
plumbing and other work for the fire de-
partment. Mr.. Seymour insisted that fire.
men should only do fire duty, and should
not be required to do work which would in
any wise conflict with other trades.
In the Winter of 1899 the Board of Edu-
cation of the City of Newark decided to
close the night schools, because of lack of
funds. Mr.. Seymour vigorously objected,
and demanded that the night schools be
kept open in the interests of working boys,
and secured the transfer of other City
to the Board of Education for that
purpose, thus enabling the night schools to
be continued.
In 1900 he was again reelected Mayor Of
the City of Newark by majority of 1860
over Richard G. Jenkinson, who was then
President of the Newark Board of Trade,
and a leading manufacturer of Newark Inl
that year the Republican ticket carried the
City Of Newark by 1918.
In 1897 Mr.. Seymour succeeded, after
much effort, in securing the vestibuling of
street cars for the protection of motormen
IN bad weather.
On October 26, 1896, Bernard Mananey, |
Who was then laborer working in the !
Chester Avenue sewer in Newark as !
plumbers helper, at point about % feet
n depth, was entombed by the earth giving
lway. After much effort by those present
us rescue was about to be abandoned when