New-York tribune., 1903-03-30
no annex GLOUCESTER.
Its Amneration to Camden Regarded
ErtrcmeIu Probable.

xLtCIEUt \
Camden March % (speciaD-The fate that has
threatened the Duke OF Gloucester Tor many o3S .
il near at hand: his city Is in danger OF being an
nexed to Camden, and the little political power 10
which he ciings with death grip Is HaoIe 10 Dc
taken from him. The shadow came GOWN oh nm ~
last week and the Duke" has been oueV esof
since. Ruuors OF the proposed annexation o%cA1i'o
menacinE at the beginning Of the present session
of tho legislature just they grew last yeaF' ou
as no bill appeared the fears OF the Denocraoc
chieftain were partly allayed- He sad the ScheiIe
should never go through while ne was alive ont
the present indications that 1t WILL despite MS
violent opposition, because many or the oetteF
class Of residents of Gloucester desire II ano De-
cause new and powerful factor has entered upon
the scene This later influence in favor OF the con-
sodation of the two cities which are now prac-
ticsIly one comes from the New-York Shpbuild!ng
Company.
The great plant OF that concern occupies an ex-
tensive tract on the Delaware River front on Iiio
extreme southern boundary of this city. Soon a1ter
the company obtained the contract TO build TWO OF
big cruisers for the it decided that 1t must
have more ROOM and it bought the long idle plant
of the Gloucester Iron Works, the site of which Is
on the river on the northern boundary of Glouces-
ter City and adjoining the shipyard Thus the
company found itself in the inconvenent position
of having its yard and docks divided by the line
between two cities with all the bother and neon
venienCe that that necessarily brings. AS result
the movement started in other years to make the
cirfes nne but which was retarded by the oppos-
ticn of William J. Thompson and men he com
pletey controls. received fresh impetus, and It Is
said that the plan is pretty certain to go
through in the last days of the legislative session
The bill providing for the consolidation will prob
ably be introduced in the Assembly tomorrow
night. and the Republicans will be urged to stand
by it.
OF course Thompson will be on the battle-ground
directing the opposing forces when the measure
reaches the floor of the House. but one Of the
closing scenes OF the Assembly's last session on
Wednesday night Would to indicate good
chances for the measure. Indeed, that was not
the first incident Of recent years showing that
Thompson's influence legislation is gone and
that any indication of effort his part 20 further
a scheme is sufficient warning for hostility even
from Democrats who once regarded him as ooSS
Thus, last Wednesday night, when Assemolyman
Miller OF Cumberland. declared that the Democrats
were Influenced in their voting on the Coyne license
bill by the Duke" who had been extremely active
on the floor ali that day, it WAS funny to see now
quickly and earnestly Treacy, for the Democrats
gave denial to the Implication. 1t must have hurt
the ex-boss good deal to have such a. reputation
at the hands of the leader Of the Democracy on
the floor Of the Assembly, where he once sat as a.
nightly influential member and where the starter
OF his racetrack presided as Speaker. II
develops. however, that Thompson was not there
for that purpose on that particular day, ana HIS
announcement was q bit premature. He has a
little bill pending that touches him closer than the
now dead Coyne bill
1t provides that the holder Of A retail liquor IL
cense may 90 on selling pending disposition by the
licensing power of his application for a renewal.
This Is to correct difficulty that confronts Thomp-
son every year at his Washington Park. His Ii
expires in April. In the midst of the season
for planked shad parties. and It has sometimes
County Court has held the application under ad-
Weeks because the Judge had not been aitogether
pleased with the plan Of rnning the 1,Pn Park an
sion, the Colonial house which graced dS the large
The 5uGge "f felt that the license did not carry the
privilege Of opening bottles IL In G score re OF Places r IN
~ pn III the ber Ed9 er ade to to g
as sgslssure Gr He PAPA Pass 0F b permttns Just
Thompson had done but when IT was dsc3veres
df d9af e he was back OF II 1t had no fur'"er '0''9
. to the hsreoTf oTot that s6r Thfn in
the opposition 70 Gloucester's annexation to cam,
that that he he P Should ID oppose @ He however
for Thompson has been the ruler Of Gloucester te1
Co1incii Ii and Chairman Of the Finance Committee
OF hs R2a Of hna h Is t no
not his favor can hope to get even tiny contract
Of Freehoiders. ms and Has for number Of tears
jority in that body an influence that he is slow
ly losing. however He will have the support Of all
che 6 m % Rd 9 ' are
ons the latter IT do mot to NE rs e
the only dtfhcul1y The present Mayor Of Camden n
the Democratic County Committee after a bitter
fight. with Thompson leading the opposition. An
nexaton would mean. therefore. that the police or
Gloucester City would under the domination
and control Of a Mayor whom Thompson bitterly
antagonized. In view of the fact. too, that that
same Mayor has friends who expect to keep alive
a boom for him for Governor. while Thompson ex-
poets TO remain tied to Senator Thomas NJ. FerrelI
there would to be other potent for
the most active and violent opposition to tho
scheme.
Meantime some Of the citizens of Gloucester. peo-
ple who own homes and pay taxes. who deplored
the racetrack and gambling denE. who even to-day
feel more than half ashamed to confess residence
the city, anxiousito aid the annexation plan
growth, decreasing the number OF saloons. com
peIiinx them to abide by the laws; improving the
public school system and in every way enhancing
the value Of property They say that ConsOlida-
tion is inevitable at some time. for the cities
are one, with buildings closely crowding the
dividing line a small creek. When the members
Of the Iegislatura learn who favors and who OPP
poses the proposed cons oidation they will be eX-
tremely the bill.