New-York tribune., 1868-12-21
OF POLICE COMMISSIONER
ACTON.

1t is the intention of Thomas c. Acton esq,
President OF the Board of Police Commissioners TO
sign the position he has long and ably filed as soon
as the Legislature meets Ill health Is the reason as
signed for this STEP his physicians having assured Pres
dent Acton that rest from his sab0rous duties Is absolutely
necessary at the present time Mr. Acton was appointed
Police Commissioner by Gov. Morgan In May, 1862 to
fl the vacancy occasoned by the resignation OF Mr..
Pisbury. The Board then composed OF James
Bowen, President; John G.. Bergen, Treasurer; and
Thomas Acton. One OF the first acts OF the reorgan'
lied Board was appoint Mr. John A. Kennedy Super
ntendent OF Police That gentleman was absent at the
time attending the Republican nominating Convention
at Chicago the occasion OF the nomination OF Abra-
ham Lincoln for President. and his return he was
sworn into Office When the Legislature met the following
Winter the appointment OF Mr. ACtan unanimously
confirmed. without the formaty OF reference TO
committee and year subsequently, his term having
expired, he was again nominated by Gov Morgan, and
again confirmed In tho Fall Of 1862 Mr.. Bowen aud
others raised the regiments known tho Metropolitan
Brigade, and when Mr.. Bowen received his commission
IA Brigader General he resigned from the Board OF
Police COMMISSIONER and sailed with his brigade for
New wOrleans Mr. Acton then chosen President
aud for several months there were but two Commis-
soners. Messrs Acton and Bergen. During the summer
OF Gov Seymour attempted TO remove the Commits
soners the ground that they had In various ways OK
ceeded the power conferred upon them by the Legsla
Commissioners, and the matter was carried into tho
Courts While tho pending the riots OF july
1868. occurred. and during that trying time
President Acton proved himself a remarkable
executive officer superintendent Kennedy having been
stricken down and nearly killed tho first day Of the
riots by mob rendered the position Of President Acton
doubly difficult. but no proved himself equal to the
emergency. During the whole week OF the riot he ala
not obtain two hours sleep out Of each twentyfour
When the Legislature in the Winter and spring OF
1864 the contest between the Governor and Commls
soners was ended by the nomination OF four Commits
soners instead Of three, and their confirmation by the
Legislature The Board consisted OF Messrs Acton
and Bergen Republicans, and Joseph y. Bosworth and
VIM. McMurray. Democrats Mr.. Acton was 10 hold Of
hce for eight years BOsworth, SIX Bergen, four; ana
McMurray two. on the expiration Of tho term OF Of
fec OF the latter, Mr. Benjamin i. Manerre,
Republican. appointed 20 fill the vacancy. In tho
Fail OF 1867 Mr. Bergen died. and Mr.. Matthew T. Bren
nan. Democrat, appointed by the Legislature then
Democratic htt the vacancy. Mr Actons health has
been failing for year His physicians advised him
resign several mouths ago but the Legislature was
Democratic he declined follow their advice declaring
that he would die In the harness rather than have tho
control OF tho Board pass into the hands OF Democrats
would certainly have been the case had he resigned