Omaha daily bee., 1906-05-01
JAMES E. BOYD DEAD
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for time president of the Omaha Savings
bank.
Mr. Boyd was selected as one OF Doug
las county's representatives in the con-
stitutional convention of 1871, which made
a proposed constitution that was rejected
by popular vote. He was a delegate to
the constitutional contention of 1875, which
succeeded in framing a collection OF funda-
mental laws acceptable to the people. and
was chairman of the committee on rail-
roads in both assemblies. He claimed
credit for the provision authorizing the
state legislature to regulate freight rates.
In 1872 Mr.. BOYD established the first
pork packing houseAin Omaha the location
being on the Missouri river a short distance
south OF he Union, Pacific bridge. The
production OF the plant was limited by
inability to get hoss. about $4,000 was
invested in the rehterprise. which con-
sumed about $1,000 snli1ials in the year be-
fore the plant was destroyed by ERE Jan
uary IS, 1880. 1t was rebuilt on larger
scale and was packing 10000 hogs annually
when sold in 1857.
Beginning of Political Career.
The real political career of Mr.. Boyd
began in. 1880. when; n public controversy
over the kind OF water works system to
be installed inauce& him to accept the
nomination assseouheusnan In the Sixth
ward. He was supported by men who OPP
posed the Holly system" OF water works,
which proposed to supply the city by direct
pressure. Its opponents contended for a
reservoir and part gravity system. and
the antagonism was intensified by re-
puted unsavory methods on the part of the
ba I'd
republican, Mr.. Boyd. a democrat, was
elected. and assisted in preventing the OBJ
noxious water works contract and in re-
ducing the proposed rental of FIRE hy-
drants from 500 to ss4 and $50 year. He
was legislated out OF ONCE in a year, which
was to his liking, as he did not care for
the ONCE nor the presidency of the council
which he held
Edward Rosewater is responsible for my
political life," said Governor Boyd HE
was the leader Of the men who induced me
TO go into the council to prevent the Holly
deal and it was through his influence that
/ was made mayor Of Omaha the first time.
I can truthfully say that l never sought
| ONCE. Not one of my official acts was
ever affected by political aspirations to be
consummated in the future"
His Service as Mayor.
| He was nominated by the democrats for
mayor in 1881 and with the support of The
Bee succeeded in defeating his opponent,
Isaac g. Hascall. by three votes to one.
His administration was very energetic
and the foundation of the present system
OF public improvements, such as paving.
sewers, sidewalks and the like, was laid.
As mayor. Mr. Boyd visited many cities
In the quest OF information regarding mu-
! nicipal work and endeavored TO put what
he considered the best ideas into use here.
He succeeded in effectually enforcing the
laws raising saloon licenses from 500 to
$1,000 year.
In 1888 Mr.. Boyd received the democratic
| vote in the legislature that elected General
| c. f. Henderson United States senator.
| Two years later he accepted a non-partisan
nomination for mayor and was elected by
/ $50 votes in a bitter contest with Patrick
Murphy, his republican opponent.
Mr., Boyd was a delegate to the national
convention of 1884. that nominated Grover
Cleveland. and cast his vote for the sue
cessful contestant. He was made a mem
Der OF the national committee Of the demo
cratic party from Nebraska and became
one Of the democratic leaders. II not the
party leader IN Nebraska, continuing In
such attitude for nearly ten years. He was
a delegate to the national convention again
in 1888, and for the third time in 1892 when
Cleveland was again nominated.
1 Onered a High Honor.
New York did not want Cleveland" said
Mr.. Boyd speaking of this last convention.
| when the Illinois delegation went TO the
delegates from New York. who. after a
/ passionate speech by Bourke Cochran. re-
fused to applaud the choice OF the con-
vention. and consulted their wishes regard
/ ing a vice presidential candidate they were
told to go 10 hell. I am not saying they
I followed this advice. but I'm quest OF vice
! presidential timber they waited on me and
told me the honor was mine If l wished IT,
! / replied that having been born In ireland
| / could not hold office. Adlai Stevenson
was nominated. and as you know. was
| elected"
Mr.. Boyd built what grew to be called
"Boyd's old opera house" at the north
east corner OF Fifteenth and Farnan streets
in lsSO-sl 1t had a seating capacity OF
100. and was a fine theater at that time
| After all the famous contemporary players
singers nd musicians had appeared in H.
II was burned in the early nineties. The
present Boyd thestsr a hve-story brick
building At Seventeenth and Harvey
streets, was completed and opened Septem-
Der 8. 1891. II cost S2so.oO0 and is the lead
ing playhouse OF the city.
EIseted GovernsE An 1890.
James n. Boyd was elected governor Of
Nebraska on the Democratic ticket .tn
II