James E. Agnew

James E. Agnew was an American politician who served as a Boston City Councilor, Massachusetts Fish and Game Commissioner, and Corporation Counsel of Boston.

James E. Agnew
Boston Corporation Counsel
In office
1945–1946
Preceded byFrank Jerome Murray
Succeeded byJoseph A. Scolponeti
Massachusetts Fish and Game Commissioner
In office
1939–1941
Preceded byPatrick W. Hehir
Succeeded byHoratio S. Dumont
Boston City Councilor for Ward 21
In office
1934–1939
Preceded byJames Hein
Succeeded byMichael J. Ward
Personal details
DiedOctober 30, 1956 (aged 65)
Boston
NationalityAmerican
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materBoston University School of Law

Early life

Agnew was born in South Boston. His parents were from Carrickmacross. His father died when Agnew was 16 and he became head of his family. He worked at a department store, first as an office boy, then as a salesman. He also pursued musical training and eventually formed his own orchestra. Music provided Agnew with enough money to fund his studies at the Boston University School of Law. His education was interrupted by World War I. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was assigned to the morale section. After the war he toured veteran's hospitals and other places were servicemen met. He made enough money to go back to law school. He graduated in 1926.[1]

Political career

In 1931, Agnew ran for Boston City Council in Ward 21. He finished second in the eight candidate race behind incumbent James Hein.[2]

In 1933, he was elected to represent Brighton.[3] In 1938 he was nominated by Governor Charles F. Hurley for the position of director of Fisheries and Game.[1] Agnew chose to remain on the council, but stated that he would not run for reelection.[4] He was confirmed by the Massachusetts Governor's Council on January 3, 1939. That same day, he was a candidate for city council president. His election was opposed a group of eight freshmen councilors and one second term member (Mildred Harris), who voted for William J. Galvin. Agnew and Galvin each had nine votes, while the three Republican councilors refused to vote for either.[5]

Agnew withdrew from the race on January 13, citing his added duties as Fish and Game Commissioner.[6] He backed George A. Murray, who went on to win the presidency on the 11th ballot.[7] In 1942, Agnew was the Democratic nominee for Massachusetts Attorney General.[1] He lost to Republican Robert T. Bushnell 56% to 43%.[8] During World War II, Agnew served as a special assistant United States attorney investigating war fraud.[9] In 1945, Governor Maurice J. Tobin nominated Agnew for the position of conservation commissioner.[10]

Agnew refused the appointment and two months later accepted the position of corporation council of Boston.[9] In 1950 he was a candidate for clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court for Suffolk County.[3] The sixteen-candidate race was won by Chester A. Dolan Jr.[11]

Death

Agnew died on October 30, 1956, in Boston following a long illness. He was 65 years old.[12]

References
  1. Harris, John (October 21, 1942). "James E. Agnew and Public Met in Days of Depression". The Boston Daily Globe.
  2. "Curley Foes, Kelly, Norton and Dowd Win; Tobin, Hurley and Mackey on School Board". The Boston Daily Globe. November 4, 1931.
  3. "Mrs. Dacey, Agnew Supreme Court Clerk Candidates". The Boston Daily Globe. June 27, 1950.
  4. "Governor Gives Agnew Chance to Retain Posrt". The Boston Daily Globe. February 21, 1939.
  5. "First Termers Block Agnew For City Council President". The Boston Daily Globe. January 4, 1939.
  6. "Agnew Quits Race for Council Head". The Boston Daily Globe. January 14, 1939.
  7. "Murray, South Boston, Wins Presidency of City Council". The Boston Daily Globe. January 17, 1939.
  8. Election Statistics; The Commonwealth of Massachusetts 1942.
  9. "Agnew Named City's Corporation Counsel". The Boston Daily Globe. May 16, 1945.
  10. "Tobin Appoints Agnew in Reorganization of Conservation Dept". The Boston Daily Globe. March 8, 1945.
  11. Owens, Cornelius R. (September 20, 1950). "Dolan Nomined Over 15 for Clerk of Supreme Court". The Boston Daily Globe.
  12. "James E. Agnew: Ex-Conservation Chief, Once Corporation Counsel". The Boston Daily Globe. October 31, 1956.
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