New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-02-11
TIE SEVENTH REGIMENT.

THEIR IMPERATIVE NEED OF AN ARMORY IN A
MORE ACCESSIBLE POSITION.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
SIR: An article in one of the daily news
papers unfayorabe project In which every oinoer
and member Of this regiment is deeply interested sug
gests this communication.
The movement in favor OF an Armory for this regi-
ment in Reseryoir-square has the united support not
ony Of fs present mombers but Of the many thousand
business men OF this city who during the past 80 years
have served in it's ranks The petitions for this object
have also been signed by thousands Of the largest tax
PAYERS in the city, and the enthusiastic favor with
which the measure has been received by leading
and Influential men Of every profession and
business pursuit Is a. REMARKABLE as it is
gratifying The important fact in the case is
simply this: That arDOrV IN central location IS
posiiicey necessary The continued efficiency and
prospsyify Of this regiment A very large majority Of
the members of the regiment reside between Thiret
ST. and Harlem River, and the center OF the popua-
ton which represents is constantly moving northward
To attend weekly drills at place so distant from their
residences as Tompkns Market is extremely burden
some For the same reason It is almost impossible to
obtain new members to I'll the places OF those who arc
discharged at the expiration OF their term OF service
and in case of riot disorder it is dcnlt TO assemble
the regiment promptly at place so distant from the
residences of its officers and members.
The reasons locating the new armory at Reservoir
square are follows
First 1t is central. and armory in that location
would be accessible to large majority OF tho regiment
during the next half century.
Second: Reservoir square Is not large enough 10 be OF
any great service as public park ana D. not NECESSARY
that purpose account OF IT. proximity to Central
Park.
square Tor this purpose would not irlure IL as a
breathing place." Only that part actually 0ccu
pied by the building would be used for military pnr-
Fourth: The value of adjacent property would not be
impaired By the erection in the center OF Reservoir
square Of such BUILDING as i proposed. ~,
Fhh There is other property belonging 10 the city
which properly located ana available as site i0r an
armOry for this regiment.
To authorize lease Of tho ground in the Ioca
ton to be occupied for arm0ry an act OF the Legs
lature is believed to necessary But the act proposed
leaves with the Board Of Supervisors the subject OF ap
preparation for armory, well as the entire control OF
plans for building That Board has the confidence Of
the taxpayers "a well as Of this regiment. and in eay
ING the whole subject Of expenditure to the wisdom and
discretion OF ihe Board Of Supervisors, It is believed
that this regiment will receive all assistance that may
be necessary that nothing Will be done IN the mat
ter preiudcia the public interests. The officers and
members OF this regiment have not deemed 1t expedent
TO ask the Board Of Supervisors TO purchase or lease
lands 10 the upper part Of the city, sufficient In extent
for an armory with drilrOoms the ground floor but
have believed 1t 20 be the interest OF all concerned to
ask a lease OF y small part OF RserVoTsquare, now
the property Of the city. ,,,
vacant the TOmpkins Market ArmOry, Whlch would
afford ample aud excellent accommodation Tor any reg-
ment whose members live below Iwentiethst. The
rental OF armOry would thus be saved to the city,
and no additional expense would be incurred by the
transfer OF the Seventh Regiment 10 location con
venient to its members and necessary TO It's prosperity
and existence.
1t earnestly desired by officer and member Of
this Regiment that every newspaper Ia TINS city should
publish the memorial 10 the Legislature upon this sub
iect as well as any bill which the Committee OF the
Assembly may fayOrdbly report The greater the pub
lefty the certain is this measure 10 secure public
approval and consequent The valuable services
OF tins Regiment many occasions during the past hall
century in preserving the public peace and protecting
the lives and property Of the citizens have always been
appreciated iyid u IS confidently believed that
the people Of NewYOrk VIII not allow this
Regiment to langusn or to die for the want OF suitable
armory In central location. Nor VIII the public forget
that the Regiment has been mainly seSppOrtng; that
its at TOmpkns Market have been htted up at the
expense OF its members 10 the extent OF nearly $4,000
and that its members voluntarily give ther time and
many thousands OF dollars annually 10 maintain mill
tary organization which 10 reliable and valuable aid 20
the civil authorities, aud which Is generally conceded to
be honor the metropolis OF the country. To main
tain the efficiency and reputation Of the Seventh Reg
IN the fut is the object OF those who petition for
a new armOry at ReseTvOirSquare. Very respectfully
yours etc, EMMONs CLARK,
Col. Commanding 7th Regt. NGS.N.Y., and
Chairman Gen. Com. on New ATmOry.
Ner- York, Feb. 10, 1873.