Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1893-09-06
HOW HAREMS ARE RECRUITED.
The High Prices Paid for Girls in the
Turkish slave Market.

Turkish slave Market.
The slave trade is the chief source of
recruits for the Turkish harm. All as
sertions to the contrary notwithstand-
ing, it still fourishes in the city of the
sultan. The headquarters of the white
slave trade are in the Bostanchi quar-
ter, which comprise number of small,
narrow streets between Pera, Galata,
and Tophane. The trade is conducted
almost exclusively by tribe of Tcher-
kesses known as Tessirdchis. Families
generally work together. One brother,
for example, stops at home and
minds the shop while the others
60 abroad and purchase and forward
the raw material of the commerce.
Negotiations with purchasers are
conducted through the intermediary of
Arab brokers, who call regularly on
their patrons to inquire if they are
wanting anything in black eunuchs or
white girls-just as Manchester COM
mission agents drum for orders among
merchants and shippers, and like them
they are remunerated by percentage on
sales
The rendezvous of these gentry is
coffee-house in the Bostanchi quarter,
the entry to which is strictly forbidden
to all save followers of the prophet.
To obtain trustworthy information as
to current prices is naturally in these
circumstances attended with some diff
fculty, but approximately, and as
nearly as scan be ascertained, they are
as follows: A white boy in good health,
from eight to fourteen years old, costs
eight to ten dollars; if he has any ac-
quirements. such, for instance, as a
knowledge Of cookery or other house
work, he will command twice as much.
A girl under 10 years old may be had
for 81, while a maiden between 10 and
16, especially if she can read or write
and strum q little on the litter, is
worth 81, 600. 4 female slave Of excep-
tional beauty, young, white, and a vir-
gin-the style most in vogue are
blondes with black eyes-fetches from
SIS, 900 to 81 500. For a very choice speci-
| men, with a smattering of French and
able to play a few airs on the piano, a
rich amateur has been known to pay
as much as S13, 500. But, as may be
supposed, the demand for articles of
LiLS ilpGiOH udS greatly IdlISH olA
since the halcyon time of perpetual
loans and profuse expenditures.
Black slaves, who are brought princi-
| pally from Africa, are either sold direct
by the importers to the proprietors OF
harems or SO dealers, two of whom have
extensive private marts in Stamboul
These two generally keep on hand 100
to 220 each. There are also depots in
Scutari and liz several villages on the
Bosporus. A strong, black slave sells
for about S100; a black maiden, S75 to
$50.
The Turks themselves see no more
wrong in slavery than in polygamy. Il
is permitted by their religion, and en-
! joys the sanction of ancient CUSTOM; il
is insepara bly, associated with their So
cial ha bits, and, ia spite of all the pro
tests Of the Christian powers, will en-
I dure as long as the Osnali rule in Siam
boul. But let us do one justice the I'M
speakable He treats his slaves we'll
! He not rarely marries them, and many
man born in bondage has risen to the
highest offices of the state. Chicago
Times.