Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-01
TAKEN BY SURPRISE
The Republican Organization
in Maryland. j..
CHARLES J. BONAPARTE
NOT IN GOOD ODOR WITH THE
MACHINE.
Politicians Think It's National Effect
Will Be Good Upon the In
dependent Element.

The republican organization IN MdfyIdHu
was taken completely by surprise when
President Roosevelt selected Mr.. Charles j.
Bonaparte to succeed Mr.. Paul Morton as
Secretary of the Navy. Mr.. Bonaparte has
held distinctly aloof from the present party
organization In Maryland, and at times has
criticised it vigorously. In return he was
cordially disiked by the organization.
Mr. Bonapartes friends say, however
that President Roosevelt is not amenable
to criticism in this selection, contending
that as Maryland is a democratic state the
republican organization is in effect polit-
ically moribund. They go further and
point out that In the lest election Mr.. Bona
parte. whose name headed the alphabet
ically arranged list of republican cand dates
as presidential electors, the only re-
publican presidential elector elected In
MARYLAND and claim that this fact entities
him to consideration.
Beyond all that, however, it is tacitly
recognized that President is expected 10
exercise the privilege of choosing his cap-
met without regard to party organization.
1t Is purely personal appointment ana
SO regarded by the Senate. which never
questions cabinet nomination. -. put a Gun
firms It out of hand, usually on the day II
is submitted These considerations, IL Is
said will probably lead the organization
republicans in Maryland to put as pleasant
face as DOSSlUIc upoL siic 49,
matter how they may feel lnWardly
Anpeals to independent Element.
Viewed In it's national aspect, pohtlcians
say that the appointment Is calculated TO
appeal strongly to the independent element
in West Virginia, Maryland and kentucky
In these three states there is a vote that
every year is getting further away from
strict party alignment. 1t is composed OF
rpDuDlicdnS-the democrats
moved to independent thinking by dissatis-
faction with old bourbon methods, ana the
republicans by disgust with certain 1ea-
lures of poSt-bellum party organization
In the frame of mind in which recent
elections have found this element its vote
was uncertain and liable to be influenced
largely by local consideration. IL is .ne
opinion OF some politicians that such ap-
pointments as Bonaparte's may crystalline
Sentiment favorable to the Roosevelt ad-
ministration, which of course means aoner-
ence to the republican national policy.
Politicians are taking note of the fact that
President Roosevelt is manifesting grow
ing disposition to get away from hioe-
bound party views ana parusan ahsn.
ments This, they say. is noticeable not
only in his appointments. but in his rec
concentrations of legislation and national
policies.
Mr. Bonaparte, 1t is predicted. will ap-
peal in the highest degree to the independ-
ent and civil service reform classes of the
country A gentleman Of this city who is
familiar with his record and characteristics
said today of Mr.. Bonaparte:
The Ideal Anti-Machine Officer.
He will be the ideal anti-machine admin
istrative officer. 1t remains to be seen how
he will get along with Cingress and the OFF,
cials If the issue ever arises between his own
sense of right and political expediency he will
not hesitate to break with the highest men
of the party. The Pennsylvania politician
who wants to dicker with him about APP
pontments in the League Island navy
navy yard, or the Californian who is wor-
ried over some Mare Island yard politics,
or the Marylander who has a small affair
| in the Washington gunshop. will find him
an unresponsive and unsympathetic listener.
1T will be woe unto the seekers after
soft berths in the navy, and the people
who try to bripg influence to bear upon as
signments to duty will wish they had never
been born when they encounter him. He
despises politics, looking upon it Shiny
game. He has probably voted the demo-
cratic ticket as often as the republican, and
detests politicians.
HE is positively intolerant of detail, and
will not take up small routine affairs He
| has often, to my knowledge. expressed his
scorn of men assuming public office with
| the duties of which they were unfamiliar
and Will doubtless leave the management
| Of the bureaus of the department to the
several chiefs.
Personally he Is a charming man to