The New York herald., 1875-09-16
THE ARMORY QUESTION.
A NEW HOME OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.

NEW HOME OF THE SEVENTH REGIMENT.
Comptroller Green has written letter to ex-Alder-
man Ottendorier invoking the aid of that gentleman in
preventing the erection Of the new Seventh Regiment
Armory which Mr.. Green considers great fraud upon
the city II Is proposed TO build this new armory on
the block bounded by Sixty-sixth and sixty seventh
streets and Fourth and Lexington avenues, at an ex
pensc of 100000 The Comptroller says
II one regiment Of this cityis TO have armory TO
cost $7GO 900 where are TO land before the whole
twenty regiments, batteries of artillery and cavalry
troops are equally well prOvdedY At the same rate we
shall be called upon TO expend for twenty regiments
the sum OF 81 900 900 for buildings alone and about
900 600 more tor land which TO erect them, and
this does not contemplate the annual expense of nam
tanning the buildings and their care.
The seventh regiment now occupies an armory over
Tompkins Market, centrally and conveniently located
hird avenue between sixth and Seventh streetsl spa
cious and comfortable II is now being repaired at
cost OF not less than $40 COO II Is city property and
in my opinion in these depressed and overtaxed times
IN arbtratng between the various claims upon the pub
lie moneys there are many much pressing than
the building OF armories When have reduced our
debt and brought taxation down II will be enough
to consider the expedency OF new structures OF this
character.
The plans and specifications of the building to be
erected at the of the city not yet prepared and
the amount already appropriated be regarded
limit OF the cost The total investment OF
$700 600, a above stated for an armory for
one regiment will with the annual charge
for repairs and maintenance, make the provi-
sion OF armorles for all the regiments costly
annum for the cost of the armory alone if the regi
ment contained its full complement of 900
Every other regiment in this city would be likely TO
claim TO be entitled 10 equally good quarters and at
this armores and drill for all the troops in
this city would impose tax OF more than 81, 900 coo
per annum, and there claims under pretended
leases having long series OF years yet to about
$3.50, 600 per annum.
1t may be said that the burden of the cost of building
arnory ought not TO be put upon the seventh nor
any other regiment Yet the field officers OF the
Seventh regiment. TO obtain valuable piece
nf land n
without such agreement the land would not
have been set apart to them, and in
the present depression of affairs and high taxation it
would naturally be thought that the existing armory
accommodations quite sufficient The officers of
the city have not think acted this with due
consideration.
With any skilful arrangement of building several
regiments could be accommodated on this large piece OF
land and the question naturally arises whether If the
city Is 10 build the armory, the Seventh regiment
should not reconvey the property the city order
that as many regiments may be accommodated the
ground as practicable
Since writing the above l find that Mr.. Alderman
Gon has made several attempts under this same law
to saddle another armory lease upon the city. If he
were here at this writing should ask him whether he
expects to commend himself TO the taxpayers at tho
coming election by imposing upon them fresh burdens
of this characters