The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-05
PIUS x THE NEW POPE HAS
 HAD A BRILLIANT CAREER

H ONE. August 4.-"sarto" in Italian means tailor" and Plus x, when young seminarist. being rather elegant in his priesty robes, his com panions used to joke him, saying that he evidently knew the business. He began his education at a seminary at Treviso and continued 1t at Padua. the seat of the famous university. one of the best, not only in Italy. but in the world.
 Plus x was only 2s when he was con- secrated a priest at Castel Franco the birthplace of the great master, Gior- gipne acting afterwards for nine years as coadjutor to the parish priest of Tom bolo. province of Padua, small village of 2e5O people, who were the first to appreciate his virtues His kindness was untiring. He sought to fill their wants and never a murmur was heard when he was called in the middle of winter night to death bed, which proved to be noth- ing of the kind. He gave freely of his very small means until he often went without means himself, but he kept many poor family from starvation.
 Parish Priest In 1867.
 In 1867 he was appointed parish priest at Salsano. which was considered an im- portant promotion. being a village of 3341 souls Still he was exceedingly sorry to leave Tombolo. having become att tached to the people. The peasants when he left made most enthusiastic demon- stration, crying, Viva Don sGuizeppe." while many women, whose children he hod l4.tt,. guished himself so much at Salsano that he was only kept there two years, which is remarkable in the career of an Italian parish priest. In 1875 he was elected chancellor of the bishopric of Treviso, then spiritual director of that seminary judge of the ecclesiastical tribunal and finally vicar general.
 Pope Leo, who had highly appreciated his cleverness, piety and modesty, ap- pointed him, in November, 1884 at the age of 49 years, bishop of Mantua, where he remained nine years, until 1893, when he was made a cardinal and appointed patri- arch of Venice.
 A Thorough Reformer.
 He there distinguished himself as a thorough reformer, suppressing all abuses, restoring the dignity of the clergy and the earnestness of religion. To him Is due the revival Of the Gregorian chant la the beautiful churches overlooking the lagoons, and to him is due the strict lithurgic rules.
 From his appointment rose heated polemics between the holy see and the Italian government. The latter as heir to the ancient privileges granted by the pope to the republic of Venice, maintained that it had the right to chose and appoint the patriarch. The government however, after having long refused it's exequateur, eventually granted 1t to Sarto who, mean while, succeeded in gaining general es- teem, including that of the government officials The Italian cabinet had no feel ing against Sarto personally. In fact he might quite well have been their choice if the papacy had not wished him, but 1t was a political question, which. however, they soon gave way.
 Idol of the venetians.
 Sarto became the idol of the Venetians. When his gondola went through the canals. the people rushed on the bridges and along the sides of the canals. kneeling and saluting, the women exciaiming God bless the patriarch"
 The new pope used then to say that he did not like to go out of sight of the lions of St. Mark, which now he will never see again if, as Is almost sure he follows the rule inaugurated by his two predeces- sors, never to leave the vatican. In a few cases in which he came to Rome. on re- turning when asked if he enjoyed the gorgeousness of the papal court and the magnihcance of the functions, Sarto an- swered
 When I am there I feel like a fish out of water"
 He has very modest tastes, having re- tained almost the same habits as when he was a mere curate at Salsano. He was severe. but was just with his clergy. There Is nothing he dislikes so much as pub licity, detesting the praise and compli- ments of courtiers Frankness is another of his principal qualities. although he i1 somewhat timid
 Has No Harm on His Tongue.
 As the Italians say, he has no harm on his tongue or pen. Even so. Plus x. often wrote truths which were. perhaps un- pleasant The relations of Sarto with the house of Savoy are well illustrated by what occurred two months ago. when the king of Italy went to Venice to open the