New-York tribune., 1881-12-25

| bic was acknowledgment of the Justice Of tho
charge, together with an exposure Of the way in
which the haIem system leads to the appointment
of ignorant men to every place. from custom house
clerk to university professor to the exclusion of all
who rely solely upon ability a means of advance
ment in life. The meeting adjourned upon the
remark of another man, that, however true the
description of corrupt practices in the matter Of a2
pointments the man who dared to expose them
would be banished to the Desert of Sahara in
twenty -four hours.
afterward asked one of the learned men present
at this gathering what was the connection between
the harem system and the appointment of men to
positions among the Ulema. In reply was told q
little story: About eighteen years ago Mohamme-
dan of this city, maker of wax candles, invested
fifty dollars in the purchase of pretty little girl Of
seven or eight years. He took her home and
brought her up like daughter. He had masters
for her and gave her good education. He had her
instructed in French. music and drawing. At
seventeen the girl was beautiful and Accomplished
ana was ready for the market. One day the man
took bis slave to the palace Of tho mother of tho
Sultan-it was during the reign of Abdul Aziz--and
presented her with his best respects TO that lady,
a token of the regard OF loyal subject of the Sui
tan. The Sutans mother was pleased with her
new acquisition. and in short time the Sultan
himself degned TO express his pleasure at the grace
of this talented young creature. The girl was in
demand evening after evening to sing, to play
Chopin or Beethoven, and to amuse the company
by her sprightly wit. Her fortune was made. Then
the man who had given her this education reminded
her that he had taken her from the gutter and that
he was poor. The next week that maker of wax
candles appointed to office of great import
ance in the Ulema, with life salary of mean
amount. That" said my friend bitterly " is the
connection between the harem system and the de-
basement of our schools The authorities, from
highest to lowest. appoint any man to any vacant
office at the demand of their women. Our schools
are in the hands of lneducated men. and those
who educated are regarded enemies of the
Government If they venture to utter word Of
comment or 10 try to bring about a REFORM
1t is unGuesLionably true that moral corruption
has a new and deep hold upon the Turkish body
polite. From the days of Sodom down the nation
that has given itself up to centiousness has sealed
its own annhlation. 1t is question how long
Turkey stand with such foul cancer eating its
vital parts.
The negotiation for an arrangement between
Turkey and her bondhOlders Is not yet completed.
The Finance Minister seems willing enough, but
unable to iud revenues which will suffice TO pay
the modest interest demanded by the bondholders
in exchange for the REIMBURSEMENT of one-half Of
their demands. The situation is terribly compli-
Gated by the appearance of Russia on the scene
with reminder that some revenue will have to be
applied to the payment of the war indemnity.
Meanwhile the Government is collecting taxes in
advance for 1888, and is living on the proceeds.
But /! energy is lacking in some departments OF
Government, it exists at least IN one. Upon the
Hppodromo in this city stand two obelisks, and.
between them, brazen column of three entwined
serpents which made by the Greeks from the
armOr of Persians killed at the battle of Platea,
and which was first set up at Delphi votve
Offering TO Apollo. The Mayor of the city. Mazhar
Pacha has been inspecting these antiques of the
Hippodrome and has concluded that they arc
drcadfully out of repair" At least this mornings
Turkish papers announce tnat he has ordered the
brazeu column Of Platea to be secured with sand!