Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-04-19
COUNTY SEATS TO
URGE FIGHT TO
RETAIN HON0RS
Warren and Monmouth Almos.
Certain to Have Changes
Made Next Year.

TRENTON, April 19.-Now that the
Legislature has finished, its labors
there is the g lual renewed talk Of IL
changing of county seats. In fou
counties-Hudson, Morris, Warren and
Union-there is a great deal of open
dissatisfaction over the present location
OF the seats of county government, and
talk thai will not down of new county
lines.
In a milder way than in other
counties there is a revolt in Hudson
Harrison. Kearny, East Newark and
Arlington feeling that their interests lie
more with Newark and Essex than with
Jersey City and Hudson.
Matters have been brought to a focus
by recent trouble between the towns
and the Hudson County Freeholders in
matters of Passaic river bridges, road
improvements and lesser things. This
has started the annexation agitation
again, and a bill to provide for the
Joining of these places to Essex county
is likely to be introduced in the next
session of the New Jersey Legislature.
The trouble in Morris county is
caused principally by Dover and its
suburb, Wharton. Dover has a popu-
lation of 5000, n is growing rapidly,
with new industries locating there, n
the town is also possessed of the
keenest kind of local spirit. Norris
town. with it's population of 1900,
Dover thinks, has been blessed long
enough with the county seat, n
should content itself with being the
richest city per capita in America. hi
agitation has been made in a lively
manner by Dover, while Morristown
has remained contented in h knoWl-
edge that possession of a thing In New
Jersey is difficult to upset.
Union county's trouble is being made
IN a gentle fashion by Summit. sum
nit fnds 1t very hard work getting to
Elizabeth, and thinks that If Elizabeth
wants to remain the leading town OF
the county it should at least give Sum-
nit a little nome rule by supplying 1t
was a district court of its own a
branch of the registers, surrogate n
county clerks offices.
OF all the factions which have re-
VOTED against the present county seats
there are three which are likely to ac-
complish a change. These are the large
towns of Phillipsburg, Washington n
Hackettstown, all in Warren county.
In spite of jealousies of long standing
these three places, aggregating IN
population 20, 900, have Joined to have
the county seat removed from Belvi-
dere. which has 1000 inhabitants. So
keen is the feeling among the towns
that threats of secession from Warren
! county and the formation of a new
county, TO be called Delaware, have
been made.
Difficulty in reaching Belvidere from
the larger places is given as the reason.
The county seat is at the northern END
of the county; it Is on a branch rail-
road, and its interests, 1t is said, lie
more with Sussex county than with
Warren. At a meeting recently the
representatives of the three towns re-
ceived promises Of support from several
other places, and it was said that IL
would be possible to obtain the neces-
sary 81 per cent. Of the county's total
registered vote to carry II project.
Phillipsburg wants to be the new county
seat. while Hackettstown favors Wash
ington. These differences would be
quickly settled, it was said at the meet
ing, should the change be decided upon.
The revolt second in Importance TO
that in Warren, from the point OF ike
lihood of being accomplished, but nrst
in the effect it would have on the poi1ti-
cal divisions of the State, is found IN
Monmouth county. There the insurgent
towns are Long Branch and Asbury
Park. Freehold, the present ounty
seat, the big shore places declare, is re-
mote. difficult to reach by railroad n
not entitled in point Of population ana
importance to the interests of the
county to the handling of he countys
business. Long Branch would like TO
be the county seat. but would give way
to Asbury Park rather than see Free
hold remain at the head Of the county.