The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-02-19

der her guidance young Joachim's eyes
were turned toward the church. She died
when he was only II years of age. and he
was sent to the College Romano, where he
at once attracted attention by his studious
habits and readiness in acquiring knowl-
edge. He gained first prize i'll chemistry
and physics. and was chosen at the end of
a three years course to defend in public
certain themes but overworked himself and
was compelled to withdraw.
In 1880 he entered the Georgian univsr-
slty, won the degree of doctor of theology
in 1882, and after several years of training
in the College of Noble Ecclesiastics became
a priest and virtually began the career that
was to lead him to the highest office in the
church.
In 1888 Joachim Pecci was sent to govern
Benevento, a principality in the kingdom
of Naples under the pope's rule, and hot
bed of bandits and Ruerrillas. 1t was q
most difficult post for SO young a man. but
Joachim not only brought order out of
chaos. but he also successfully comhated
a severe attack of typhoid fever. The fl at
thing Gov Joachim did was to capture Col
letta, a bandit thief who was the terror of
the whole community. He and his follow
srs were nll murderers. blackmailers and
incendiaries. The people were amazed
when they saw the terrible Colletta and his
bandits prisoners. but they were even more
astoundsd and awed when Colletta. and
governors orders.
This was terrible lesson to the Grim nal
element, but Gov. Pecci did not rest until
Marquis Benevento. one of the greatest
smurglers in the prinoipality. and also
one of its most prominent citizens. was ar
rested and his Illicit traffic stopped. In
three years Gov. Pecoi transformed Bene.
vento from a crude. undeveloped principal
ity and hotbed of lawlessness to a prov
ince with good roads, revived agriculture
and commerce, reduced taxes and perfect
order. Young "a he was-h8 Was only 80
the future pontin had shown all the quail
ties Of ruler of men. In lS+l he was sent
to govern PeruGia, where the Carbonari and
numerous other secret societies were at
tempting to destroy the church.
The principal city, Spoleto, was on top of
| hill, and the road leading to it for years
had been imi assable for vehicles. In three
weeks Gov. Peeci hnd good road built,
and one of the first TO use the new highway
WAS Pope Gregory himself, who found that
| the young governor had not only swept
away the obstacles between Spoleto and the
plain below, but had also made clear re
| ligious pathway between the hitherto hos
tilo Hsrugiaus and their pope. Reform
after reform marked Joachims rule in
, Perugia. Lawlessness WAS put down with
hand OF iron, while the cunning hand of
n natural diplomatist oheckmated the ma
ohinations of the secret societies by grant
| Ing the reforms they were making suon an
ado about.
| Fifty years ago the present month, and
whom Joachim was 33 years of age. he be-
| gan his work as nuncio to Belgium, where
| he made 80 good nm impression that King
Leopold wrote letter urging Pope Greg
ory to make Archbishnp Pecci cardinal,
hut the pope died before the letter reached
him. One of his last acts, however, was 30
mako Joachim archbishop OF Perugia OH
| petition of the people. Pope Pius lA did
not favor Archbishop Pecoi as strongly
M his predecessor, and for thirty-two years
tbs archbishop remained in Perugia fight
| ing the secret societies and becoming every
day more learned ana more qualified for
his future work. In 1854 he was made oar
dinsl.
In 1877 Pope Plus appointed Cardinal
Pecoi to tho camsrliugo. post of great dif-
tioulty and one that tended to bring Its
holder into perpetual conflict with the
Italian government although Cardinal
Pscci had hitherto always taken "A coneili-
atory attitude toward the government.
much TO Popo Plus displeasurs. In 1878.
however, Pope Plus died, and Cardinal
Pecci was chosen pope by two-thirds vote
Of the sacred college. Sixty one out of the
sixty-fou cardinals voted, and Joachim
Pecci received forty-four of the ballots.
He was called at his own Iequess Leo Nil,
and his coronation took place March 8.
1873.
Nearly fourteen years have passed since
Leo Alll began his rule ss pope, ana sht