Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-01-08
Especial Corrcspondencc)


shoemakers bench to the high
est seat in the land. next the
king. Is in brief the career OF
Carl Theodor Zahle. the new premier of
Denmark. And his achievement is par
aHeled by several of his colleagues in
Dcnmark's first Radical ministry
Zahle is a shoemaker's son. He was
born In 1856 in a little room behind his
fathers shop, in old red-tiled house
in the quaint town of Roskilde. Zahle's
parents occupied only a few rooms on
the ground floor. One door opened on
the street, the other on the Guard" or
cobbled court where Theodor played.
The father was n public spirited man.
In the long winter evenings a group oil
friends smoked their clay pipes in the
shop. and listened while the autocrat
OF the shoemaker's bench held forth on
the lniquities of the Conservative gov
ernment The boy listened eagerly. He
borrowed scraps of leather from the
shop, and arranged them out In the
court I'm the form of parliaments. When
he began to read he was chiefly inter-
csted In newspapers and books OF his
tory.
heodor early learned the shoe
n4ker's trade, and assisted his father
out of school hours. At the age oil IL
he entered the Roskilde Latin school.
He had plenty of stimulating surround
ines Roskilde was once the capital OF
Denmark, and the Latin school Is under
the shadow OF the great cathedral. Inc
boy lost interest in ShoemakerS' lasts.
for his heart was in his books.
farmer uncle predicted that the KING
would some day need their Theodor. so
the family put their heads and purses
together, and sent the boy up to the
university In Copenhagen to study the
law.
His college career was a successful
one In 1890 he was admitted to the
bar. and eventually to the higher
courts, and he is now head of law
firm.
HIS RULING PASSION.
But politics have always been Zahle's
ruling passion. In college days ne was
noted as a debater and vigorous eX-
ronent of Radical ideals, and he was
one OF the founders of The student
League which. with the newspaper.
Politiken. Is one OF the TWO sleae CO.
organs Of Danish .Radicallsm. In 1888
he was elected to the lower house OF
parliament and became. in the course
OF a wear, the leader OF his party. AL the
end of October. 1909, he brought ABOUT
the oyerthrow>of Count Holstein's com
promise ministry. and the king called
upon Theodor Zahle to form Denmark
first Radical government. Zahie Is inc
Youngest premier Denmark ever has
had
His wife has been q good help to him
oven in the earning OF bread. She
Is an expert stenographer. and mas
for some years been employed In parma
ment When Zahle made the opening
address for the new government MS
wife sat directly in front OF hlm' ana
took down every word.
II suppose you will not keep your po-
sItion," | asked Mrs. Zahle, now ina
your husband is prime minister"
And you an American" she rephed
With a smile. ITO ask such a questloh
Don't you see that 1t is all the greater
pleasure to report his speeches.
None of Zahle's eight colleagues be-
long to the aristocracy. None nave
served In a cabinet before.
Mr WcImann. minister of commerce
is n merchants son. He himself
passed from business into the con-
sular service. In 1895 he was vice con-
sui in Chicago.
Jensen-Onstcd. minister Of labor. is &
farmer. He also has boon In America
where he scent four years OF his youth
Peter Munich, minister oi 'hs "iN.' i'i
Is a farmers son. He went to college
became an expert in political economy
and. won the degree OF doctor OF pintos
ophy. He earns his bread by o'rnal
ism and by teaching in teachers nigr
school Politicians are worse pa.7 anf
have less graft in Denmark th-n II
other lands.
A MERCHANTS SON
Edward Brandes. minister OF finance
Is also a doctor OF philosophy. He oh
talned his degree. curiously enough 70
oriental studies He is merchant
con and brother TO George Brandes. tn
cssaylst RoinG u man Of great versa
tility, Edward Brundes became a play
wright and Il journalist. and editor am
one OF the founders OF Denmark's mos
influential newspaper. the great Radi
cal daily. Polltlken. paper modelled o.