Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-02-03
A LOGICAL STEP FOR SEWAREN

It was not to be expected that everybody in Sewaren
would at once favor the annexation of that place to Perth
. Amboy. Some people are bound to object. That is the rea-
son a referendum is always insisted upon in all such matters.
1t is as the majority says. The people rule.
The letter which the Evening News published yesterday
from one of the DIRECTORS to the plan protests against the
statement that the annexation movement is backed by Sc
warren people. The names signed to the Official notice of the
bill that is to be introduced in the legislature are all resi-
dents of Sewaren. The fact that some OF them formerly
lived in Perth Amboy makes no difference. There are u
great many former residents of Perth Amboy living in Wood
bridge and Fords but because they once lived in Perth Am
boy does not make them any less citizens now OF those places
in which they live at present. In fact, 1t has been the over"
flow from Perth Amboy that has made Woodbridge town
ship grow. Truly these people are not to be disfranchlsed
because of their former place of residence.
Having lived in both places they are, in a sense, better
qualified than anyone else to decide which IS the better
place to live in and under which local government they en-
loved the greatest conveniences and improvements.
Our correspondent says the Evening News is misleading
because it said several meetings have been held in regard to
the matter. AS a matter os fact, several meetings have been
held, some of them private, OF course, when the plan OF
action was discussed. 1t may be true, however, that one
was all that our correspondent received a notice OF. Such
movements as these do not start in a big way with a
grand bare OF trumpets. The sentiment is usually quleuy
worked up at first.
Perhaps the statement made by the Evening News that
mo one is advocating the annexation for political or real
estate reasons" was too broad. The Evening News has no
means of knowing the underlying motives of each one who is
Interested in the annexation of Sewaren. Some may favor
it for one reason and some for another, but judging from
conversations with several of those active in the movement,
we are convinced that they honestly believe that it will be
decidedly advantageous for them to come into Perth Am
bow rather than remain under the present township govern
ment.
If the annexation will cause a real estate boom in Sc
warren, as our correspondent seems to- fear, that we think,
would be an argument in favor of the move. A real estate
boom means prosperity. 1t means increased values and it
means development along progressive lines. A real estate
boom is what every community is looking for. AS Sewaren
has failed to experience such a boom under township gov
eminent, and as it is almost certain to have one after an
nexation is accomplished, there is all the more reason for
favoring the project.
under the idea that annexation to Perth Amboy means mere
thing else will remain as it has been under township govern
ment. Apparently these people have become so accustomed to
being ignored and getting nothing for the taxes that they
have paid that they have given up all hope of ever getting
anything at all.
Once annexation is ~consummated real city improve
ments may be expected as rapidly as they can be extended
there. Instead of the children coming in to the present
Perth Amboy graded schools the schools in the Sewaren sec
lion will be enlarged to conform with the other grade
schools of The city. Fire and police protection will naturally
he extended, doubtless with a separate fire company to
cover that section. Sewers, water and municipal lightingl
will be extended, streets will be paved and there will be
improvements all along the line.
OF course annexation is a radical step for some of the
Sewaren people to take, but it is a logical step and one by
which The people there have much to gain and little, if any
thing, to lose.
o~ga>~, A. go ----..