Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-22
palace which could be so easily stOrmed as
A GOOD HoRsEMAN.


The Sultan is thoroughly posted on all
matters relating to horses. He keeps track
OF the military affairs and is posted on all
new inventions in arms. Not long ago there
was sent to him from America a set OF the
Meybridge photographs consisting of In
stantaneous pictures of the horse In action.
The American Minister and the men OF our
legation looked at these pictures but did not
see much utility in them. The moment the
Sultan saw them he grasped at the advantage
they would be to horse training, and he ex-
planned to the Minister what they meant.
He afterward offered Mr.. Straus present OF
couple of fine Arab horses, but the Min
lister explained that he did not think 1t
would be right for him to accept presents
and he declined the gift He gave presents
to General Grant and to several other
Americans and he has made some presents
to Abram S. Hewitt.
He is very fond of America, and am
told that he is anxious to have American
capital brought into the development of his
country. When Vanderbilt visited Con-
stantinople he gave him an audience and
proposed to him an investment of some of
his millions in Turkey. Mr.. Vanderbilt
explained he had other uses for his money
just at that time, and it was the same with
Stanford. Senator Stanford, however, told
the Sultan that he would be glad to build
railroads in Turkey if he were younger
and poorer man, and that he would ask
nothing better than the chances which the
Turkish Empire offered for American
money-making.
HANDICAPPED BY DEBT AND FANATICS.
1t will be seen from this that the Sultan
is interested in the development of his coun.
try. He would, doubt not, make an able
ruler if his people and his creditors would
let him. Through the extravagances, how
ever, fthe Sultans of the past, Turkey is
loaded down with debt and the empire is
practically bankrupt. The foreign bond
holders regulate the collection of the taxes
and foreign officers sit at the seat of Gus
toms. The Sultan never sees the tribute
which Egypt pays to him yearly, and his
every act is tempered by foreign influence.
Surrounded as he is, he does the best he
can, hoping against hope, and he is much
more OF ruler, in fact, than is generally
supposed. He does great deal of work. He
looks over great part of his correspond
ence and dictates matters to his various
officials. He has the veto power on ali
things relating to his people, and he now
and then takes matters into his own hands
and countermands the acts of his Grand
Vizier. He has the absolute appointment of
all the officers in the empire, but he has to
trim his sails very carefully for fear he will
get the fanatical party of Turkey down
upon him. The Grand Vizier is his Pre-
mier. and he has his Cabinet OF advisers as
has the President at Washington. He reads
the Turkish newspapers, and has men who
translate such articles from the foreign
papers as bear upon Turkey. He wants to
know everything that is said about his
country, whether it is good or bad. and he
was lately very much interested in an
article on his kingdom published IN the
New York newspapers. He gives his peo-
pie ample chance to bring their grievances
before him ana every time he goes to pray
ers petitions are presented to him. They
are held out by the petitioners, and one of
his aids-de-camp takes them, and His
Majesty looks over them when he returns to
his palace. Such as merit inquiry are in
Yestigated and their wrongs righted.
The most interesting thing in connection
with the Sultan, however. is his life inside
the royal palace. The stories of his harem,
OF how his wives are chosen and of the ups
and downs Of married life in Turkey will
always be new to the people of the Christian
world and of these L will treat in nv next
letter. FRANK G. CARPENTER.