New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-07-07
THE SEVENTH REGIMENT ARMORY.


THE NECESSITY FOR A NEW AND SAFER BUILDING
APPROPRIATION OF 49,, 900 By THE BOARD OF
ALpERMEN-PI.AN OF THE PROPOSED ARMORY.
Since 1859 the 9TH Regiment has occupied,
for military purposes the upper floors Of TOmpkins
Market Sixteen years ago this accommodation was sur
cent each succeeding year has rendered 1t less so,
until it is claimed new arnory in the upper part OF
the city has a necessity to the future welfare AMI
prosperity Of the regiment One of the most important
considerations with respect to the change arises from
the fact that large majority OF the members now reside
above Thirtyfthst and with armofy distant the
result has been delay in assembling and reluctance To
attend frequent drills. There has been found ALSO
difficulty in obtaining recruits An additional reason for
the building OF arnory it is urged is that the reg-
attain perfection In drill until ts drill
rooms are the ground floor that it practice cv-
olutions in donbe without the danger OF shaking
down the walls, which exists in tho present quarters
Greater safety for the property Of the regiment Ia desired
In 1873 "a site for new arn0fy was chosen, on the
block bounded by Sixty sixth and SXyseyentlsts. and
Fourth and Lexinstonaves and in September 1874 1t
was leased for military purposes This space is said 10
be ample, is becoming more and moro CENTRAL IL
easily accessible to the members and ii will be pera
nen location Two years ago the regiment quietly
70 work to secure the desired change to effect which
tain legislation based upon tho willingness OF the tax
payers OF the County, necessary That consent was
secuod-or all 1t is alleged, who have property or bust
pursuits, interests which are liable 10 need pro-
econ interested in the maintenance and proper ac-
commodaton of the National Guard The 9TH Regiment
derays aits expenses only asking that the city
shall provide II with suitable arm0ry and drl-rooms.
This necessity having been recognized the proper legis
lation was effected by amendment, passed April 30
to Section 120 Chapter So OF the Laws Of 1870 empower
ing the authorities OF the City Of NewY0k, upon the
presentation ofccraiu TO furnish propcrquar
ters to such military organizations az required them.
The dueston has therefore upon the expense and
the supporters of the plan for new arinoIy oher the
following arguments: Tue taxation of the CITY OF New
York would not be materially increased by the erection
a new armOry, the TOmpain3 Market Aflnory would
therey ne vacated and coui be assigned to regiment
whose members reside in its vicinity thus relieving the
city from the expense OF d1llOOins elsewhere Tor such
rc,inent Wtha view to btan accurate information as
TO the cost of coInnodious aIrnOry and drroons for
the 9TH Regiment upon thc plot OF ground already leased
by the regiment fer this purpose preliminary drawings
have a!e and the cost has been carefully csti
mated in detail for every part of the work The interest
upon the required will not exceed $4,000 per an-
lcgsthan paid annually IN some eases for
the rent rmorc in the City of Ncwl ork for regiments
of much less numerical strength than the 7 TINS does
net include the necessary furniture and decorations which
would be required; but the Board of Officers of the Rcgi
mcnt is prepared 10 spulae that the city VIII not be
called upon for any expenditure for that purpose. All
that asked of the city Is that IT shall furnish the walls,
roof ami oois OF the building with necessary apparatus
for heating and lighting and the regiment will guaIdn
tee 70 furnish and decorate the building that 1t Will be
II Is proposed that the building shall be OF brick with
granite trimmings, plain and substantial, yet constructed
with due regard 10 proper architectural effect az well
10 easy defense. the main iegmrnal drillrOom would
be about 2OON3OO fcct III arranged that II
could divided into company drillrOJns thrown
into battalion rcslmcnta dIill-rOOm
casiOn may require This drlllroom would he upon the
ground floor and spanned by roof without columns.
Connected with this structure, and facing Fourthve.,
would be building containing the company aI1nOrcs:
for field, STAFF and nOlcOmlnissiOncd saff Tor
Board Of Officers; Tor the band and drum corps; for the
nitOr and armOrer; besides several rooms Of consider
able for squad drills and the instruction Of recruits in
the manual of arms the manual OF rifle practice, and the
school of the solder. The building would be two stories
hgh with Manstrd roof, and the Fourtave. front.
In the basement Of the building would De the heating
apparatus, and range, gallery, for rifle practice.
these having been presented 10 the ty Govern
men resolution authorizing the erection oi new build
ngs on the site proposed passed by the Board Of
Aldermen at Its last meeting at cost not exceeding
S35 900 and the Department Of Public WORKS will at
once proceed 10 examine plans and specifications for
new arInory, which tne 5Lcnt hope " DC able 10
cupy by the Winter Of 1873