New-York tribune., 1878-02-18
IN ARNORY IN UASHINGTON SQUIRE.
THE MOVEMENT UNwIsE AND UNJUsT-GREAT BEN
EFITs or THE PARK TO CHILDREN AND ISVALiDs
A STRONG PROTEST.

THE MOVEMENT UNwIsE AND UNJUsr-GREAT BEN
EFITs or TIE PARK TO CHILDREN AND ISvALiDs
A STRONG PROTEST.
TO the Editor Of The Tribune
SIR: Those politicians who, for reasons OF
their own are endeavoriDg 10 turn Washington square
into vast armory, capable OF accommodating lo'Ooo
soldiers have described that locality as prop erty
small value and those who 1.-Two on it people of little
account can sympathize in the surprise and ndigna-
ton OF the gentlemen whose beautiful houses (s0me OF
them among the finest the city,, situated on this
square, long known the healthes spot far ard near
been regarded by them as perhaps the most des
able residences within the city limits.
That this park which has given brightness and air to
their homes and been the playground OF their children
should be condemned, IS ruin to their property and
destruction Of their cOmfort and they wen may cry out
What however, their loss when compared WIN that
of the thousands who flock there every sunday ana
holiday, and who in Summer (wnen the rlcHer H.
habans have left the hot aud dusty city for many cool
and pleasant places every day in the week pour ont
from their aress sunless homes breathe and rest IN
this heathgiving placel
Have the gentlemen who are contemplating ths
change ever cbanced 70 pass through that square on
summers afternooni Have they seen the crowds
standing close around the fountan drinking its fresh
ness or sitting on the benches provided for he Has
il ever occurred to these gentlemen TO Try to count the
babies and children sitting playing on the grass and
n wonder that there many IN the
wOTld7 DO these gentlemen realize WHAT thc
rark is in Summer TO the vast population be-
tween the City Hall Park and Madison Square
do they know that from sunrise till long after sunset
this place is throncod with invads who have crGwled
ont with sick children and tired men and wOmenS ID"
they know that this spot is air. light and healt-the one
bright spot in the discomfort and often the misery OF
those 10 whom the heats OF American Summer brns
no country no green fields no release from the siuns
and alleys where they forced to live
And let me ask these gentlemen who propose TO roD
these people OF all this they wisei Are not these
voters too these inhabitants OF the Fifteenth Seven
teenh Eighteenth. Fourteenth Sixteenth-yes, even OF
the Tenth Ninth and Eighth W6rdshave they not votes
"a well as the soldiers who it is proposed shall stack
their arms IN the new armoryf
Dut his does not concern them alone. Should this
tc really come pass should one OF the few parks oi
this ore,t city, full OF fine trees surrounded By noble
res dnce consccrated by gift to the purpose bcdged
,bout with all the safeguards OF aw-shoud cay this
nark bc condemned for private ends what can we. who
live in this city, hope fer the fnturei Who or what Is
sa,c2 Can the miionaifes Madison Square save II
in the future from the greed of board OF Aldermen
Who will assure them that hospital or barracks viii
not soon drive them from their homes
And the Central Park, the glory OF the city, who can
say that at some approaching election 1t may not be In
danger3 We have been III governed ID New-forE Our
c,ty has been by for high taxes and dirty streets
and biz swinirs, but who was prepared for thisf
Ne,r- York, Feb. IT, 1873 PROTEST