The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-09-18
MAI. BELKNAp's RESIGNATION.
Cecil Gabbstt Looked Upon as His
Probable Successor.


Probable Successor.
The resignation of General Manager NJ. s.
Belknap of tho Central railroad is generally
regretted. The announcement Of his re-
tirement in yesterdays MORNING NEWS
quite upset a large number of his friends
who were not expecting it.
Maj. Belknap received calls all day
from his friends, who came TO express their
regret at his resignation. The general man
ager assured them that it was with re-
luctance that he will leave Savanna
He said that while he is devoted to railroad
life he could easily separate himself from it
if bettering his condition lay in doing SO.
He considers that the step he has taken is
an advancement for him in a pecuniary
sense. Railroad circles all over the south
were apprised of Mai Belknap's retirement
through the Associated Press, and numbers
of kilograms were received by the general
manager asking if the report was true.
There is already considerable gossip as to
who will succeed Maj. Belknap. II hardly
think Cecil Gabbett will get 1t, said prom
inent railroad man, who considers that he
is pretty we'll on the inside track. Mr.
Gabbett is now general manager Of three
or four roads. some of them competitors of
the Central. 1t is doubtful now If he can
ally himself with the Central people with
the same zeal that he is managing the other
roads. Would he accept the places Any
railroad man in the state would snap at the
place. 1t is one of The best positions, under
the presidency, that railroad
man in Georgia can hold. 1t
is next to the presidency
virtually, and carries with it vast amount
of responsibility, since the general manager
is the fountain head for all departments of
the system, and through him nearly every
change of any importance must be made.
The Central had no general manager
prior to MAJ. Belknap's appointment. 1t
will be hard on railroad men, he added to
place man in the position who has not had
wide experience in all departments of rail-
reading. Maj. Belknap has shown himself
to be equal to the emergencies of the posi-
ton, and it will be difficult to fill his place.
Beside having varied experience as q
railroad manager he is a thorough civil
engineer. be was eminently adapted to
the office he filled, combining with his I'M
firing energy, quick perception and his
thoroughly courteous and affable manner
of meeting people, making friends and
leaving an impression of the superior man.
agenIent of the road.
There is some talk that Mai William F.
Shellman will be the next general manager
of the Central. He is now traffic manager,
and is considered one of the ablest railroad
men that the Central has had. He has
worked his way up, and is thoroughly
| identified with the interests Of the road.
| He will not be unfamiliar with the manage
ment- A new man will have to spend
several months in the service to gain q
full knowledge of the roads business.
Next to General Manager Belknap, per-
haps, Maj. Shellman's knowledge and &C
| quaintance of the road is most extended.
While Maj Belknap's resignation may be
acted upon shortly, to take effect Oct. 1,
it is not likely that his successor will be ap,
pointed before the regular October meeting
of the board Of directors
A Columbus dispatch to the MORNING
| NEWS says that it was learned in Columbu.
| yesterday from the best authority thai
| Cecil Gabbett has been offered the position
and that he will accept.