The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-09-05
RESIGNED OFFICE.
Commander GoodaIl Steps
Out.
LOOKING FOR A SUCCESSOR
Private interests Force the Leader of
the Naval Reserve to
Retire.

Lieutenant Commander Charles NJ.
Goodall of the Naval Battalion, National
Guard of California, has resigned. His
letter has been in the hands Of Adjutant-
General Allen for two weeks. but Cover
nor Markham has not accepted the resig-
nation.
No publicity has been given to the mat
ter for the reason that the Governor and
those high in command in the National
Guard have been using every effort to
induce Captain GoOdail to reconsider his
withdrawal, and still have hopes that they
may succeed; but the lieutenant-com-
mander's decision is final, and THE CALL
now feels at liberty to publish the news.
1t was after much hesitancy and with
great reluctance that Captain Goodall de-
cded to resign. Modest as he is, he Tecog-
nizes that he can be of much service TO the
battalion, but at too large a sacrifice of
private interests. GOodall, Perkins ~ Co.
have recently enlarged their operations by
getting control of and improving the Coos
Bay steamship service. and new line
will be put on this week to
MendOcino. One member of the firm
has gone to the United States Senate
and this vacancy. together with the wide
spread interests of the house, requires that
Captain Goodall devote his entire time to
business. II he retained and nomlnally
filled the office of commander the naval
service would suffer. because he would of
necessity have to shirk duty and the eX-
listing fine ESPRIT du corps could not be
maintained. No battalion could be held
up 10 the work when the chief officer set
the example of neglect, whether occasioned
by lack of time, want of inclination or alb
Sence of martial spirit.
1t was a happy coincidence of stout
Lead ership and chance which gave to this
State and the nation a well-equpped naval
reserve. Shortly after Captain GoOdall
took command in the early summer Of last
year, his friend Admiral John Irwin, now
gned to duty at the Asiatic station. was
here as president OF the hoard on the trial
uip of the cruiser San Francisco, and he
interested himself deeply in the battalion.
Through the efforts OF Admiral Irwin per-
mission WAS obtained from the Navy De-
partment for the battalion to practice
aboard the Charleston on the cruise to
Santa Cruz Their fine work at target
practice is we'll known. 1t filed the men
with enthusiasm, which under the leader
ship of Captain Goodall has not been
allowed TO lag.
In case of need San Francisco can fur
nish three full companies and San Diego
one company of thoroughly competent,
wel!-drilled, well-Officered men.
A successor TO Captain GOOdall will be
chosen by the officers of the four COM
panies. and while the matte n has been for
mally discussed among the officers resid-
ing here they have as vet not been able 10
hit upon a proba BILE choice. They would
wish man the equal of the present COM
mandeT. but do not hope to be able to Sc
cure such one. The position requires a
man of nautical knowledge, good execu-
tive ability, military spirit ana popularity
These Captain Goodall had in a rare de-
gree.
The resignation is still held in allegiance
at headquarters with the understanding
that it will be received aud Captain Good
all allowed 10 retire at an early day.