The New York herald., 1877-03-20
THE sULTAN'S OPENING ADDRESS.
Growing Anxiety About the Signing Of
the Protocol
THE OCEAN MAIL SERVICE.
[pY CABLE TO THE HERALD. ]


Sultan IN person. The speech will be found be-
low. The Ministers, the chief CIVIL military and
religious dgnltares and the foreign Charges dAnaires
except those OF Germany and Russia. who repre-
sentcd by drngomans were present The First secrc-
tary of the Sultan read the speech from tho throne.
considerable number Of Senators and Deputies were
In attendance. Tho Deputies will take their
seats to-day. or the thirty Senators therc are
I've who are not Mussulmans This par
iiamentary experiment is decided novelty
measure the pressing demands of the Powers
for the government of the Christian subjects Of
the Porto in the future. With tho almost certain al.
formative war OF non-acceptance the final and
modified propositions of the penpotenaries were
jected by the Sultan who declared that whatever
forms were needed the internal administration Of
his Empire would be devised and carried out by his
own government Turkey believed all along that sns
would not bo aono in the event OF struggle and,
In accordance with tho willy policy that has always dis
tingushed her Ministers, brought forward a char
ter liberal ard comprehensive in its terms but In
alIty o measure that deceived no one, and even II
faithfully observed would not be effective for the pur
poses it was designed. A special commission, COM
posed OF the great dgnitaries, the Ulemas and the
funconares of the Empire, framed the charter which
has for its principal features the full equality Of
Christians with Mohammedans before the law. the in
PRODUCTION OF municipal councils in cantons to ba
forrncd nbout IN OOO IN ah,tanis and the
creation Of a Parliament, consisting Of two Chambers
the members of tho upper to be appointed BY the
Sultan and OF tho lower be elected BY the people.
The discussion OF the articles of tho constitution in Tho
Council of Ministers led the fall OF Grand vizicr
Mehmet Buchdi, who held the office at the time.
wished have lett ont certain clauses restricting the
power of tao Grand vzier and also clauses combining
to certain limits the authority Of the Sultan. His
Majesty expressed a desire that they should not be
eliminated. Mehmct Buchdi demurred, and the
pointment OF Midhat Pacha in his place. Before
procaiming q document important the consttu-
ton it necessary to consult the Court Astronomer
"a custom also observed in China) who, in his turn.
would consult the stars and tell the Sultan what would
DO the lucky hour for the promulgaton. 1t was dc.
cided to precisely at the hour that the
propositions Of the Powers be read at the Con-
ference then in session. This was done, and on
December % the constitution read at tho Sublime
Porto while 1o1 guns fred at the batteries The
time of its proclamation had been on several
occasions announced but IL was always postponed
ovuA hat cfqd hat
Russian Ambassador might forbid It's being read. The
Sultan In the imperial hatt stated that tho object Of
the constitution was place his subjects In the pos
session OF the rights which belong to civilized
society and to the faults and abuses OF every
nature which result from illegal acts-that Is from
the arbitrary domination Of several indviduals
and by granting the same rights and prescribing the
same duties 10 the different members Of the COM
munity, mako thom all profit without distinction, BY
the benefits Of liberty, justice and equality.
TIE srLrAx's OPENING SPEECH.
The Sultan in his speech opening Parliament, re-.
vows Turkeys efforts at reform during recent times.
Ho says after the Crimcan the country would have
commenced q now of progress AMI prosperity Il
,ntrgues and cupablc agitation had not paralyzcd hs
efforts OF tho government by obligng TO
sources on warke expenditure These causes and bad
financial administration forced the government,
on tho outbreak Of the insurrection In Her.
xegovina, 10 reduce the interest on tho public
debt. The Sultan, having bccn called to the
throne under the most difficult circumstances, FIRST
placed tho army in a condition to insure the security
and independence of tho country and then devoted all
his efforts internal reform by promulgating char
ter which, following the example Of the most civilized
States made tho nation participate In the admnistra-
tion of public affairs. The speech onumerates the
measures for discussion during tho session.
thotu tha md
press blls and bills for the Reorganization
OF provincial administration. tribunals aud
civil service. II especially recommends tho adop.
tion OF the financial bills and promises that mea-
sures will DO taken to offer Tnrkeys creditors tho most
solid guarantees consistent with the urgent necessities
Of the Treasury. The Sultan praises tho patriotism OF
the people the valor OF the army, the
pacincation Of the country and tho restoration OF
peace with scrvia, and hopes for a favorable
issue TO tho Montenegrin negotiations. result
which would enable government to disband troops
Although the Conference did not end In do0nito
understanding, has nevertheless boen demonstrated
that tho Turkish and Ia ready to par
tcpate such wishes Of the Powers bc recon-
ced with existing treaties, International law and the
exgcnccs of the situation. The speech concludes az
ioliows:"My government has constantly given proofs
oil sincerity and moderation which will aid In drawing
closer tho bonds Of friendship and sympathy that
unto US with tho great European iamilyr
PROVISIONS THE CONSTITUTION
The constitution conf aims 1l9 articles, and follows
closely tho principles recognized In limited monarchy
governments. It's details hold out announcement TO
hope for tho future bcttcr rule OF the Christian
provinces Of the EMPIRE but few permit thom.
selves to bo deceived that any real or per-
mancnt good Will result from its operation.
Parliament is established, to consist, as stated
above, of nh upper and lower House. The Sem
ators for tho former appointed by the sultan
and tho delegates to the Chamber Of Deputies arc
chosen by general suffrage. to be shared alike by Mo-
n,nedan aud Christian subjects The powers OF both
bcdrs are Defined Parliament Is TO Iovy taxes ostab-
fish tribunals contract loans promote tho progress Of
science and arts, maintain army and navy and per