New-York tribune., 1903-04-20
NEW W-JERSEY NEWS.
LIKE THE PRIMARY BILL.
Camden Hen Glad of Its Delegate
Allotment Section.

Camden April 10 (SpeciaD-There is one feature OF
the new Primary Election law which strikes CaIh-
den County Republicans with more than ordinary
favor That is the section which provides the aliot-
ment Of delegates to the State District Congress ana
County conventions. Not much attention was given
that feature when the bill was up for Consideration
in the legislature. and few understood just now IL
would affect the situation here; but since the la"
enactment and the widespread publicity given II by
The Tribune has become more clearly understood
and there is consequent rejoicing here, especially
among those Republicans who believe in organiza-
ton and the eternal fitness of things political
| Under the apportonment OF the Congress
districts which became operative last year, Cape
May and Cumberland were cut off the old lst DIS
trict leaving Camden, Gloucester and Salem 10 FORM
the When the memorable battle for the
| nomination for Congress began TO assume shape a
year ago Camden County discovered that. so far as
District Convention concerned. 1t was in the
position OF the dog being wagged by its tail, for
while IL had been in the habit of sending in Repub
lican jorities all the way from 4Go0 to 10000 1T
had practically no larger delegation In the
ton than Gloucester. with its Republican MAORI
ties of from GOO to 200. and these not always GER
tain. Moreover, there Salem. with its strong
prediction for the election OF Democrats, and Re-
publican majorities going seldom beyond 400 when
there are Republican maiorities able to combine
with Gloucester to dictate not only the organization
of the convention, but TO make its own terms on
the nomination. Thus, Camden. with all its power
as a Republican county. was placed in the unwhoe-
position of taking orders from the two smaller
counties. the combined vote of which does equal
that of Camden.
Nor was there any hope of change. for any effort
to change the party rules TO eGualiZe the ap-
portionment of delegates. would be met with the
combined opposition of the two smaller counties.
which raised violent protest the mere sugges-
ton. They had notion of reIinquishing their
position Of power. 1t was an unfortunate position
and one from which there appeared escape.
With the new primary law, however. came the
new apportlonment of delegates to conventions.
and with that the solution of the Congress district
problem. The delegates viii be apportioned to the
getting its proper representation Besides. there
vention. 1t has been the custom in this district,
as it has in number Of The others to hold the
State or County Convention Sometimes that plan
his lines without regard to the situation
county affairs. Sometimes that has proved advan-
mental to the work Of the leaders case in point
UPSET things for the Republicans IN camden COUNTY
and jeopardzed the election of Sheriff and other
There are other features of the law which
will grow in the estimation of the people but that
which gives Camden something Ike its proper
representation in the State and Congress conven-
It is IS G to any
among the South Jersey people in the tn, forthcoming
weary" expresses. in homeiy way: the sentiment
ot only Of M the but of hev the f
rather sorry that Essex County got into such an
aid them but the fear is expressed here that
the way out is not , so easy The proposition o 70
Z
will not be easily accomplished. now that the
other legislation is wiped off the slate and there is
nothing to help it, You see, said one OF Camdens
alert Republicans to-day, some of the members
We're crowded in the caucus by pledges of support
for some of the measures they steering but
that will be possible at the extra session. The
of repealing the Jersey City Excise law Is all
bosh That can't he accomplished. That bill was
introduced by Camden's Senator because last year
we obtained the passage OF a bill TO make excise
board a constitutional body, and Jersey City
promptly took advantage of IT, When it dis
covered that the Republicans then placed upon US
the responsibility for condition they did not relish
and brought us TO undo the harm we had unwittng-
IL done there nothing left for us to do, but
jump their assistance. You may be sure that
we are not apt to recede from our position, and
there probability of any action on the Jersey
CITY xcise bill
That was a fine trib1lte 10 a which the resi-
dents of Woodbury. and Gloucester County paid
10 David O Watkins. state Banking and Insurance
Commissioner last Wednesday. Besides the peo-
nle of the city who have taken the utmost pride
and interest in watching the advancement of the
man who a boy among them not 80 many
years ago, there were men prominent IN state af-
dinner for him, and all Joined in sincere
expressions of admiration. Aside from the position
given them in Mr. WatkinSS appointment. G!Ouces
ter County Republican, feel particularly elated over
the fact that he Joins that formidab BILE circle of
active Young Republicans who seem 70 be gradually
winning their way to the front III New-JerSey's