New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-09

LOCATION OF THE 6sTH'S ARMoh1.
EX- MAYOR HEWITT EXPLAINS TO THE BOARD
THE REAL REASON OF HIS OPPOSITION

Ex MAYOR HEWITT EXPLAINS TO THE BOARD
THE REAL REASON OF HIS OPPOSITION
TO THE COLLEGE GROUNDS
The Armory Board had before 1t yesterday tne
proposition to build the new armory for the osth
Regiment on the site Of the College of the CITY OF
New-York, Twenty-thrd-st and Lexington-aVe
Mayor Strong, Controller Fitch President Barker
OF the Tax Department. General Fitzgerald ana
Colonel Seward. the members OF the Board heard
objections to placing a regmental armory on mat
site from residents OF the neighborhood Prominent
among these was Mayor Abram S. Hewitt. whose
home is Mt No . LexIngton-ave.. just across i"eh-
ty-second-st. from the proposed armory site. DIG
nificance was given to the ex-Mayors appearance
because OF newspaper statement that the oPp"-
sition to having the 69th Regiment at that point on
the part of Mr. Hewitt from feelings OF enmy
toward the regiment on account Of its irish mem
bership. In connection with this Mr. hewitt
memorable battle with the Tammnny Board OF
Aldermen 1883 to prevent the hosting OF the irish
flag on the City Hall on st. Patricks Day was re-
called by many.
Ex-JudGe Ernest Hail. counsel for 100 property
read a protest against the use OF the iaho
for an armory site He said that II the city had not
been the owner OF the property in question the plan
would not have been brought forward Other sites
I'm the same neighborhood more available coun
easily he obtained Judge Hall said that the city
owed much to the 6sth Regiment. but the new
armory II one was needed could be built on the
present site lie filed three petitions. with more
than a hundred signatures. protesting against the
college site.
Ex-Nayor Hewitt said that his sole reason Tor
appearing the imputation which had been pub
lshed charging antpathy to the Irish race as the
real ground Of his opposition to this site FOR the
seth Regiment armory. II think said Mr. Hewitt
that before the editor of newspaper makes
Of nd he
reporter to find out IL II were true. | sec two or
three reporters on an average daily. but upon this
question nobody ever has spoken to me- and de-
nounce the editorial as unqualifiedly false
Mr. Hewitt asserted that he had no personal OBJ
lection to the Goth Regiment having this site lie
added: IL two pieces OF property In the ncign-
borhood. and II the is built az proposed 1t
will place a blank wall opposite the house where
was married where I have lived all my married
life and where my children born. | recognize
the fact however that the necessity for maintain
ing armories In this city is a fundamental one. II.
after paying due attention to the opinion OF the
property-owners Twenty-third-st.. and looking
into the legal aspects OF the your Board comes
TO the conclusion that II is in the interest OF public
improvement TO put up an armory there. neither
nor any one OF my family will say one word In OPP
position or stand In the way IN any particular
Ex-Judge Hall said that all the obJecting prop
erty-owrers would withdraw their objections II
actual necessity shown for locating the armory at
Twenty third-st and Lexington-avc.
Thaddeus Morlarty. the furniture dealer In Twen-
ty-hrdst. opposite the college. said that II there
any question Of opposition to tho armory be-
1t to provide home for the s9th Regi-
ment. he for one. belonging TO the same race as tue
members OF the regiment. would cut on his right
hand before appearing there In opposition 10 II.
But he said there other places In the vicinity
that would suit just well
DR.. George II. Needham 40 one OF the property
owners. opposed the site. lie said the land was too
valuable to be used for this purpose.
Captain Lyjecker. OF the 7th Regiment. said that
~ would be impossible 10 select any site without
objection from some persons who would feel that
their interests affected. lie said that the
Board ought 10 q ahead and select a cite which 1t
deemed best for the public Interest. He said the
value 81 the land was only $4,000 instead OF N.0c)
oc as had been stated BY opponents Of the site
Mr. Hewitt again ard said that tn. opposi-
tion 10 this site entitled to grave considerable
by the Board. II Will never allow any private in
Of mine to stand In the way o, needed public
vanced here against this site sound and worthy
OF consideration" He spoke % church bell in
Twenty -second-si. between Lexington and Third
ayes. That bell" said MIR. Hewitt prevents the
children Of the neghborhood from getting any sleep
morning. noon right II the city authorities Will
suppress that hell would gladly consent to the
connscs'ion Of my property" Whercupon Mayor
Strong smiled ana bowed and there suppressed
merriment on all sides Of the BOARD table.
Final action on the site postponed