The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-09-21
TO BE CECIL GABBETT.
MAI. BELKNAP's SUCCESSOR SET
TIED UPON.

Gen. Alexander's Compliment to the
Retiring General Manager-Maj. BEL
KNAPP and Hfr Gabbstt Educated
at the Same School - Rumors of
Changes to be Made by the New
MANAGEMENT.
Gen. Alexander, president Of the Central
railroad, returned yesterday morning from
New YORK. To MORNING News reporter
he expressed the keenest regret that Gen.
eral Manager Belknap IS 70 sever his
relations with the Central, which, the presi
dent said, have been of the most pleasant
character, and he added that he would have
been glad to have seen Maj. Belknap con-
tinue until he had rounded up his ambition
to bring the various properties of the Cen
trail system up to tbs highest standard.
Gen. Alexander was asked if Cecil Cab
bett will succeed Maj. Bell,nap, and he re-
piled that he did not like to anticipate the
final action of the directors. which viii de-
termine definitely Maj. Belknap's sue
cessor.
GABBETT is THE MAN
When pressed he admitted that there is
little doubt of Mr. Gabbett being the man,
and he added that there will be no inter
ruption Of the progress in improving the
property under Mr.. Gabbetts adminis5ra-
ton.
OF the railroad relations between Gen.
Alexander and Maj. Belknap, Gen. Alex
ander said that they began when the latter
was connected with tee Louisville and
Nashville road, ard the efficiency of Maj.
Beiknap SO favorGbly impressed him that
on his accession to the presidency OF the
Central he made Mai. Bolknap general
manager. His administration, Gen Alex
ander said, has been of such a character as
to reflect credit upon him as an official,
combining not ouly high fitness but excel
lent traits of character, pleasing address,
quick perception and strong executive
ability.
HIS RESIGNATION A PROMOTION.
That Maj Beknap should resign to &C.
cepU the more lucrative offer in Mexico,
Gen. Alexander said, is no more than could
be expected Of him, and course such as
prudent man would adopt, es the posision
will pay him six times as much, consider
ing the opportunities offered and the differ
ence in the cost Of living Speaking the
English French and Spanish languages
huently, and with an exper fence in Mexico
from former residence there, Maj.
Belknap will, Gen. Alexander said be at
home there, and the broad charter granted
the new banking company, with which he
j. 70 be associated. will afford him oppOrtu-
mites not to be commanded in the position
from which he is about to retire.
Mai. BelEnap is the only son of a New
Orleans ship broker, WHO resided at Shrsve-
port until the close of the war, when he
took his family TO France to educate his
children, consisting of the son and two
daughters Mai. Belknap graduated from
the gCvernment college of engineering in
Paris, which, added to ripe scholarship and
travel, gave him advantages that he lost no
opportunity to maintain, and beginning as
a civil engineer IN the railway service, he
has been promoted until now he steps from
the office OF general manager of the greatest
railroad system Of the south to one of the
largest banhing institutions of the Mexican
republic, where the business is much more
profitable than IN this country. Gen. Alex
ander said that an English banking institu-
ton in Mexico declared dividend of % per
cent. last year.
THE NEW GENERAL MANAGER
Cecil Gabbetb is a thorough railroad man,
aud is particular friend of Maj. Belknap
Their education as civil engineers was re-
ceIved in France. Their promotions have
been very much alike. Both began rail
reading in the roadway department,
and were promoted gradually until they
reached the general Tnanegership of two
great southern systems. The families of the
Two men have summered at the resorts fire.
quently together, and strong tie of friend
ship exists between them.
There is some gossip in connection with
Mr. Gabhett's appoint nent to the effect
that the general managers office will be re-
moved from Savannah to Atlanta, end that
the Western railroad OF Alabama, of which
Mr.. Gabbett is now president, and the At
lanta and West int railroad, of which
he is general manager, viii be operated by
tire Central. They are already controlled
By it. There Is yet nothing more than
rumor, however.
The appointment of a new general man.
ager is causing a good deal of uneasiness
among the departments of the system.
There are already rumors of changes to be
made One rumor is that General Supern.
tendent Carroll, OF the Cincinnati Southern,
will be made general superintendent of the
Central. Whether any changes at all will
be made remains - be seen when the APP
pointment has been made.
Aftar.Thaata- Cars