Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-08
IN THE HOTEL CORRIDORS.

Anatolia College. Turkey, and who for twenty
five years has been interested in missionary
educational matters in the Ottoman empire, is
at the Hamilton. Prof. Tracey is in this coun-
try on q vacation and will shortly return 20 his
post
There are, he said TO TIE STAR representa-
tive this morning. about $50 American citi-
zeus in Turkey, most Of whom are connected
with the educational institutions under mis-
sionary supervision There are eight colleges,
the curriculum of which is essentially the same
as the average American college, but the lin
guistic requirements are. of course. different,
IS there are several languages spoken in the
empire. English, however, is the fundamental
language in the institutions under American
control. though the students are drilled in their
different vernaculars. Most of the students
are Armenians and Greeks with sprinkling OF
Turkish but Armenians and Greeks take most
kindly to u.s.
There are also 400 or 500 common schools,
which are assisted temporarily in various ways
by the American missionaries. One salient
feature in this educational progress is the edu-
cation OF the women. IL was an innovation
when begun, but is now fashionable. Formerly
girls were not educated. il not being sup
posed necessary desirable that their intel
ent, and the excellent example set is being en-
| ulated.
1T Was the custom to marry the girls at the
early age OF about thirteen, when they were in
tellectualiy and physically imma ture and they
were given voice whatever in the matter
Now, however in districts where this education
has progressed the time has been postponed
several wears, and the girls have something TO
say In the selection Of their husbands, which is
decidedly an innovation over the old Turkish
custom.
The change brought about in consequence
of this education of the people is very great and
affects the whole character of the country and
Its people, producing an improvement in al
respects. The improvement in the status Of
woman and the family is noticeably very great
especially among the better classes
In fact, matters have changed greatly for
the better III recent years in Turkey. During
my residence there have seen an entire system
of macadamiZed roads throughout the empire
built aud many other great reforms. including
the construction Of several railroads In the
place of the old koranic code there now exists a
civil code of laws. The new roads facilitate
transportation IN the empire, necessarily in
crease commerce and Turkey is advancing
Inc schools have mentioned have the same
system substantially as ours with the necessary
adaptations TO the surroundings.
ut is astonishing how English is being
spoken. not only in Turkey. but throughout
the entire orient English is now spoken in
| every town in Turkey. and sometimes there are
hundreds in a single town who speak the
language, and all within few years. The life OF
| the missionaries is pleasant in some respects,
| the climate being delightful, though things are
crude ana undeyeloped from Americans
standpoint. The teachers in the schools are
graduates of American colleges and as q class
are highly educated and cultivated"
Gov. Caleb W. West of Utah. who was re-
appointed yesterday to his old post by Presi-
| dent Cleveland, kept busy last evening at
the Riggs in receiving the congratulations of
his many friends who dropped in upon him.
The cid issues out in Utah, ;" he said to The
STAR representatives, 'of poiygamy and the
Mormon Church party domination have been
settled by the church leaders and people de-
nouncing the practice Of polygamy. The
church party was formally dissolved by its
| leaders, and its adherents have united with the
| two national parties.
The political conditions now obtaining in
Utah are identically the same as in other states
There is, however, in Salt Lake. Weber. Sum-
| NIT and one or two other counties O political
| organization known as the liberal party. which
| is composed OF non-Mormon republicans and
| democrats, who hold to the idea that, while ad-
| hitting the fact that the change / have men
toned has been made, they doubt the good
I
| tanning it. The result of the last congressional
| election. however. at which a democratic dele
gate was elected by 1850 majority. after
| earnest and hardly contested fight between the
| republicans, democrats and liberals. shows that
| there has been an actual division OF the people
| of the territory upon national issues, and that
| the old local issue has gone forever.
| IAN conditions exist in Utah requisite for its
| admission into the Union. We have the popu-
| lation. the wealth. the stability and develop
II,
are. in fact. ahead of all our neighbors The con-
| ditions which in the past obstruc:ed the admis-
sion have been dissipated and there is no longer
any excuse for postponing the advent Of state
hood.
AS to the political situation am of opinion
| that the conditions favorable for making
Utah safely and firmly democratic by n wise
liberal and prudent policy In the regular or
ganization of the party there are no dlssensions
or factions, but everybody is working harmoni-
ousiy. We all eagerly looking forward to
statehood and believe that one of the first acts
of the Fitty-third Congress viii be the passage
of a bill which will crafty our ambition"
In the course Of an interesting chat with
Lewis Baker, the newly appointed minister to
Nicaragua, at the Riggs this morning Mr..
Baker said to The STAR representative:
Il fully appreciate the high honor that
President Cleveland has bestowed upon me and
the recognition he has given the democracy of
nv state in selecting me for the Central Ameri-
can mission. The democrats of Minnesota have
had an uphill fight for years, but they are
plucky and energetic, and though suffering
frequent defeat, do not know what it is to give
up the fight.
Everything points to our ultimate success in
Minnesota. We have steadily diminished the
overwhelming republican majority which has
obtained In that state for so long. Mr.. Blaine
carried it by $4,000. Mr.. Harrison by s., 900
four years ago and by only q. 900 the last cleo
ton, which is certainly encouraging to the
democrats. Weaver and DonneQy hurt us,
particularly among the laboring men, and
think We suffered by the third party movement
more than by the republicans.
The republicans have been in uninterrupted
control Of Minnesota for thirty-four years. We
have only elected n governor once. and that
was at the first organization Of the state, when
We seated Gov. Siblev. At the last election,
however, we elected two democratic Congress-
men. it being the first time We ever elected a
democrat to Congress in the presidential year.
las the people OF Minnesota are mainly aS-
riculturists and not a manufacturing popula-
ton We are vitality affected by the tariff and are
not protected. The farmers for q long time
have been uneasy on this question and though
we have not yet developed sufficient strength
to break down the republican party think that
will do eventually.