The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-07-17
NAVAL BATTALION AFFAIRS.
Charles VI. GOOdall i'm Command
Of the Able Seamen.
Lieutenant Fitzgerald Of Company B Has
Resigned, for Which All Hands Are
Devoutly Thankful.

SOMEBODY mas mallgned the Naval Bat
TALON. L. III. Turner says so and he ought
to know for he is lieuten ant-commande of
Company ID. There have been few mis-
understandings, such as are liable to hap
pen in any organization. but none of the
companies are going to disband for several
reasons. In the first place they are sworn
In the same as a militia company for term
of years, and cannot retire from Uncle
Sans service unless by special legislation
or sickness. 1t is not likely that whole
company OF able seamen, no matter whether
they graduated from the deep blue sea or
from CORE fields, can be dismissed by reason
of physical disability, SO they will doubt
less cling together and become q credit to
the State. 1t was reported last night that
Company would dis band next week aud
that another company would certainly
follow suit. This. says Mr.. Turner, is all
bosh.
JEALOUSY AMONG sEAMEN
But there is trouble among the seamen. II
is, In fact. matter of jealousy and strug-
gle Tor presidency among certain officers.
and as things now stand the organization
viii not be apt To be regarded with. pride or
favor by the Navy Department. The prin-
cpal issue Is the recent appointment of
Captain Charles Minor GoOdali to the lieu
tenantcommandership of the battalion.
That Captain Goodall is peculiarly we'll
fitted for the post as representative ship
owner and practical seaman Is scarcely de-
MED by those who are sore about his ap-
polntment to the position. but the trouble
is not about the question OF efficiency, but
OF rivalry between different battalion COM
panies and individuals favored by them.
Lieutenant John j. Fitzgerald of Com
pany Il has resigned. an act for which not
only Company b but the entire battalion is
deyoGtIy thankful. Mr.. Fitzgerald could
not have increased his popularity in any
other way. In fact. the members of his
own company were going to ask him to
Withdraw for the good of the organization
While Fitzgerald has done much in organiz-
ing the Naval Reserve and helping it on 10
a successful issue, yet il Is asserted, ami
with good reason, that he has been the
main cause Of all the woe with which that
body is afflicted.
THE SWORD RUINED HIM.
His methods were not approved by the
gentlemen with whom be associated. his
head assumed abnormal proportions 81 DON
after he to 10 wearing a sword, and the
resignation OF Second Lieutenant Charles
II. CrOcker was more on account of his per-
sonal dislike for Fitzgerald than for jeal-
Ousy growing out of the election Of c.
leutenant-cOmmander Of the battalion. lie
simply grew weary of cruising In the same
boat with Fitzgerald, and now that the latter
Is gone there will probably be peace aboard
ship.
Ensign j. p. HeDdrickson of the same
company has been asked to resign aud will
do SO without fight. He intended to re-
sign anyhow because be felt that his honor
as a gentleman aud sailor had been COM
promised by promising TO vote for both can
didates in the recent Crocker-Goodall cam
palgn, aud then only casting his vote for
one. tie made these promises during the
canvass and when the election came he
voted for Goodsll and the ballot resulted in
tie. Croker withdrew and the election Of
Goodall was m sde unanimous.
JUMPED on THE ENSIGN.
Those who were opposed to Goodall
jumped on Mr.. Hendrickson with both feet
for his inability TO live up to both promises,
and the outcome OF it was that FITZGERALD
resigned greatly to the relief of all con-
eerned. AS lie has no use for a naval uni
form while carrying a letter route the re-
gala is for sale cheap 10 the first conner.
As Mr.. Turner expressed II the battalion
has at last caught on 10 Mr.. Fiizgerald's
curves, and hope to remain in that happy
condition.
The first trouble experienced by the sea-
men was when the btttai was formed.
Fred, rick b. Chandler. one of the organi-
GERS, aud Ca tain Charles Minor GOodall
were nominated for acknowledgements.
Fitzgerald pr0fessed to be d warm admirer
OF the latter and told him TO have no fear
Of election. He requested GoOdal 10 rest
on his oars and let him run the campaign as
he had pull wi the whole business and
could elect GOodall by large majority.
PULLED THE WRONG WAY.
Goodali took Fitzgerald at his word and
was sold out completely. the latter throwing
his pull tie other way. At that time the
general feeling was that Goodall was the
man for the position. being /. practical sea-
man and familiar with the working of war
ships. Matters then ran along smoothly
until this last election. In which Mr. Good
ali was unanimously chosen, much to the
annoyance of MIR. Fitzgerald and his subse-
Quent Withdrawal
1t was asserted By the opposition that The
officers of Company A of San Diego, four
In number. were given free trans portation
in the GoOdall-Perkins line of steamers to
this city TO yote for GoOdall Mr.. Turner
explains this by the fact that the San Diego
members were not allowed 10 vote by proxy.
The four proxies were sent 10 Mr.. Turner
by Lieutenant L. A. Nerney of Compan
A 10 vote for Goodali. but as proxies we're
barred Goodall cOurteously rendered the
southern seamen the freedom OF his boats.
Two OF them responded.
Goodan is the recognized commander,
having received his commission and APP
pointed his STAFF. The latter are Frank A.
Brooks, adjutant; o. Shafter Howard, pay
master; A. Nortbropo of San Diego, surgeon.
The DISPUTE Is likely to be settled on Tues.
day. but In the meantime naval critics are
asking whether the battalion is not playing
at sailors, and whether comnany rivalry
and individual ambition ough. not to be
sub0rdinated to the public interests.