Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-03-30
COMMISSIONER GLARKSON
Given the Berth on the Police
Board to Succeed President
John W. Lawson.
A COMMEMORATE APPOINTMENT
The Selection of the New Police
Commissioner Announced
on Saturday by Resident
Judge Spruance.

Resident Justice William g. Spru-
ance on Saturday appointed James b.
Clarkson Police Commissioner to sue
coed President John w. Lawson of the
board, whose term will expire on April
30th. Mr.. Clarkson is secretary and
treasurer of the Security Trust and
Safe Deposit Co., and resides at No.
1908 West street. He is one Of the most
substantial business men in the city, q
man of sound Judgment, not partisan
politician and tho selection will I'M
doubtedly meet with the approval Of
the people of the city.
The appointment is for six years and
the salary $500 a year. Mr.. Clarkson
did not sock the Office, and until few
days ago did not know that his nanlo
was under consideration. Several of
his friends approached him and after
much persuasion succeeded in induc-
ing him to accept. AS matter of fact,
however, he was surprised when he
heard of the judges decision Saturday
morning.
MR.. CLARKsoN's POLICY.
While Mr.. Clarkson is not fractional
or partisan politician he is generally
considered Regular Republican, but
is not hostile in any sense of the word
to people 1ho do not agree with him
| politically. He is strictly conservative
and his acts will undoubtedly be char
acterized by desire TO promote the
interests of the community.
My idea of the police department, !"
Mr.. Clarkson said, when spoken to
| this afternoon by representative of
The Gazette, sis that 1T should be,
as far as possible, nonpartisan. | be-
lieve in transacting the affairs of the
department on business principles. The
| qualifications of the men on the force
should be ability, capability and good
character. In all matters pertaining
to the administration of tho police de-
| partment. politics should not be para
mount. l have not given the matter
much thought and at this time cannot
say what will follow the advent of the
new administration.
SKETCH OF TIE NEW COMMISSIONER.
James 3. Clarkson was born in Sea-
ford, Sussex county, October 18th, 1898.
He received his education chiefly in
the public schools of the county. In
1860 he moved to Middletown, where
he accepted the position of agent fol
the Delaware Railroad Co., and in 1861
accepted position with the Citizens
National Bank, where he remained fol
eight years, performing the duties with
the greatest satisfaction, as had also
been the case while in the employ Of
the railroad company. In 1876 he came
to Wilmington, having been appointec
special deputy to Collector of Customs
Lewis Thompson. He served during
both of Mr.. Thompson's terms and q
part of Henry Il. Pickels' term, resign
ing ia 1855 to accept the position Of
secretary and treasurer of the Security
Trust and Safe Deposit Co., which he
has held continuously ever since. He
is well fitted for the position and tc
him is due in n great measure the sue
cess of the institution. He was county
treasurer for one term early in the los.
He was also town commissioner o.
Middletown at one time. He has MOI
taken an active Part in politics for q
number of years.
A prominent Democrat who was seer
regarding the appointment said he fel
sure that it would give the creates
satisfaction to the people of the cit,
regardless of party affiliations He sale
he did not believe there would be an,
unnecessary changes in the personne
of tho force for political reasons.