The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1901-12-05

Government Holds Officers RESPONSE
BILE for the Conduct of Members
of the Guilds.

/ cSud1S OI uiluS lOuuu lutdf Occupd-
tion gone-or at least considerably di-
minished--on the abandonment of the
ancient oriental splendor of dress and
equipment and the adoption of west
ern military uniforms and weapons Of
warfare which have distinguished the
nineteenth century. Trade guilds are,
however, still very numerous in south
eastern Europe, and especially in Con-
stantinople, where representative OF
all the various crafts and callings prac-
ticed in the empire are to be found,
each having one or more lonjas-
lodges or clubs-in every quarter OF
the city and suburbs. Each esnaf is
presided oyev by several officers called,
respectively, according to their rank,
shieks, naibs, oustas and kiayas-or
presidents, vice presidents, superin-
tendents and spectors-who are an
uually elected by the members from
among its own master craftsmen, and
these officers are recognized by the
government, which holds them respon-
sible for the good behavior of their
fellow guildsmen, says a London exc
change.
A few esnafs possess large revenues
or enjoy peculiar privileges granted by
various sultans in bygone centuries in
return for services rendered at some
important crisis. Among these are the
shoemakers, who have special officers
empowered to judge and punish all Of
tenders belonging TO their fraternity
without the interposition of the legal
authorities. This extraordinary priv
ilege was, il appears, conferred upon
them in the sixteenth century by Sulei-
man lis, "the magnificent" This sui
tan on one occasion greatly incensed
with the ever turbulent janissaries.
who, in sign OF revolt, had as usual
overturned their camp kettles, swore
that with the help of the shoemakers
only he would break their rebellious
spirit. The padishah's worc.s spread
with lightninglike rapidity through
the streets of the bazar occupied by
the shops of the Papaoutchdjis, who,
rapidly assembling from every lonja
in the city, presented themselves
armed before the serai, an army Of 40.-
600 men, shouting the Moslem war cry:
"Allahi Allah!" The sultan gratified
by their loyalty and zeal in his service,
received the officers in audience. made
them name their own reward and
granted the four privileges asked for.
of which the above named was one.
When the news of these events reached
the barracks of the janissaries, these
insolent troops were so dismayed that.
in the words Of seventeenth century
chronicler. "they were ready TO eat
not only their soup, but their very
trenchers."
The apprentices to the various
trades are, when proficient, recom-
mended by the master under whom
they have served their time TO admis-
sion TO the guild Of their craft, into
which they are formally admitted ON
engaging to observe its rules and pay
ing the customary fee. II is usual on
these occasions for all present to pro-
ceed TO some favorite spot in the neigh
borhood Of the city. where the rest Of
the day is spent in feasting and merry
making. Some guilds are composed
entirely Of Moslems. as certain callings
are exclusively in the hands Of the rul-
ing races OTHERS entirely Of Christians.
Many. however. include adherents Of
both creeds, and as members of the
same esnafe Christians and Moslems.
allied by an esprit de corps and by
trade interest. pull together much bet
ter and evince mutually a greater lib
erality Of feeling than is generally dis
played in the social relations OF
Greeks and Turks At their al fresco
festivities, which are also held annu-
ally in honor Of the patron saint Of the
guild, the greatest harmony prevails.
The amusements INDUCED in after the
conclusion Of the midday repast in
elude a variety of juggling and aero
batic performances, wrestling matches
and, for the Greeks, the syrtos horos /
the ''long drawn" classic dance-dur-
ing the execution Of which their Turk /
ish fellow craftsmen, seated on rush /
bottomed stools in front of a rustic
coffee house. with long-stemmed tchi-
bouks or bubbling marghnilehs. pas
sirely enjoy their kaif.
Every esnaf has its own special ira
1'.so~-i f~-rs and usageS which ara
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