McShane, Andrew James, 1865-1936.

Businessman, reform politician, and Mayor of New Orleans, 1920-1925.

Born in New Orleans in 1865 of Irish-American parents, McShane entered the hide business at an early age and by 1886 was owner of his own firm with offices in New Orleans and New York.

A member of the anti-machine faction of local politics, he served on the Board of Fire Commissioners under the administrations of Mayors Walter Flower and Paul Capdeville. He ran for the city's Commission Council in 1912 as a candidate of the Good Government League, but was defeated. The Orleans Democratic Association chose McShane as its candidate for Mayor to oppose incumbent Martin Berhman in 1920. With the support of reform governor John M. Parker, McShane won a close victory. His efforts to reform city government brought about a good deal of political opposition during his administration. Problems were also caused by his political inexperience. The McShane years did, however, produce a better system of garbage collection, a stronger Department of Public Works, and improvements in city financial administration. Mayor McShane lost a bid for reelection in 1925 and went into retirement following the end of his term in office. He died in New Orleans in 1936.

From the description of Papers, 1920-1925. (New Orleans Public Library). WorldCat record id: 17894946