The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-11

BALTIMORE, June 1l.--Charles Joseph
Bonaparte, who has been selected by Presi.
dent Roosevelt to succeed Paul Morton as
Secretary Of the Navy on July /, is regarded
by his neighbors In Baltimore as one OF
the most remarkable men Of the time.
Above all things MIR. Bonaparte seeks
70 be practical in every undertaking. He
manifested this characteristic when a young
man by pushing aside all dreams Of a French
throne. Instead Of putting Napoleon,
Emperor and King" on his front door, he
hung out the simpler and more practical
sign, Charles J. Bonaparte, Attorney and
Counselor at Law" After all, practising
law in the United States is a much more
lucrative profession just now than that Of
pretender to a European throne.
Other striking characteristics are his
drmnees Of purpose and the courage Of his
convictions. Mr.. Bonaparte believes In
the axiom: BE sure you are right and then
60 ahead
His practise Of doing what he believed
was right regardless Of consequences was
illustrated on the occasion when the over
seers OF Harvard University were consider
ing the advisability Of comforting the degree
Of LII. D. on President Mckinley Mr..
Bonaparte is one Of the overseers Of Har-
ward University. Hehad given the question
At issue deliberate consideration. and in a
most frank manner he informed his COL
leagues that in his opinion Mr.. Mckinley
was not worthy Of the honor.
Mr.. Bonaparte admired Mr.. Mckinley
Is a statesman and as President OF the
United States. but he believed that states
manship and political eminence alone were
not the qualifications for the degree Of
Ill. D. from Harvard, and he backed up
his convictions with a negative vote.
Mr. Bonaparte is called a shrewd and
brilliant lawyer. but he Is best known as
. civic. social and political reformer.
Among Baltimoreans his name and that
Of the Reform League are synonymous,
for it was through this organization that
the Monumental City was purged Of corrupt
political practises and obtained an election
law that IN a model Of its kind.
Mr.. Bonaparte Is 81 years OF age and Is In
the full vigor OF his physical and mental
attainnents He Is large man, weighing
apparently close to 200 pounds, with large
head resting upon somewhat rounded
shoulders.
His head. which might b called abnor-
mally large. is clearly that Of man OF
high intelligence, yet it is not head that
would command admiration. The face
IL full and rosy. the eyes black. the mus
tache Of the same color. and stubby.
1t is only when he is engaged in debate
that he would be picked out as a man above
the ordinary attainments. This perhaps
Is due largely to Mr.. Bonaparte's indifTer-
ence to dress.
Being thoroughly devoted to the duties
OF his law office. he has no time to court
Dame Fashion, and when the days labors
are at an end he HES himself Off to fine
country seat few miles distant from Balt-
more where fine clothes are not requisite.
Considering these facts Mr.. Bonaparte
may be considered plainly dressed man
he always wears black-and would be more
readily taken for student, or, perhaps,
a clergyman, than one Of the most brilliant
lawyers in Baltimore. man Of wealth and
one of the most conspicuous reformers
10 the land.
He is identified with nearly every edu-
cational. charitable and reforming institu-
ton in Maryland has been honored with
the degrees OF A. B. and LII. D.. from
Harvard University, and recently received
the Laetare medal from Notre Dame Univer-
sity OF Indiana as the most distinguished
Catholic layman who during the year
had rendered the most efficient and laudable
service to tho Catholic Church.
To the lover OF the historical. and at the
same time Of the beautiful and artistic,