Wallowa chieftain. [volume] (Joseph, Union County, Or.) 1884-1909, 1902-01-16
TURKEY HAS UNIONS.
SOME OF THE GUILDS POSSESS
LARGE REVENUES.
Government Holds Officers Responsible
for Condu uct of Mem mbers-Shoe makers
Punish Offenders Without InterpOsi-
tiou of Legal Authorities.

Many once wealthy and important
esnafs or guilds found their occupa-
Iion gOne-Or al least considerably III
minished-on the abandonment OF the
ancient oriental splendOr OF uress and
equipment ana the adoption Of west
eru 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
sJanIiuople. where representatives OF
Sll the various crafts and callings prac-
Iiced in the empire are 10 be found,
each having one Or more lonjas-lOdges
or clubs-in every quarter OF the city
and suburbs. Each esnaf is presided
over by several officers called respec-
lively, according to their rank, shleks,
naibs, oustas and kiayas-Or presi-
dents, vice presidents. superintendents
and inspecuors-who are annually elect
Ell by the members from among its
own master craftsmen. and these Of
tcers are recognized by the govern
ment, which holds them responsible
for the good behavior OF their fellow
guildsmen.
/ \ few eSnafs possess large revenues
or enjoy peculiar privileges granted
by various sulJans in bygOue centuries
in return for services rendered al some
important crisis Among these are the
shOemakers. who have special officers
empowered 10 judge and punish all
offenders belonging To their fraternity
without the interpOsitiOn of the legal
authorities. This extraordinary priv
ilege was. II appears, conferred upon
them in the sixteenth century by Su-
LEHMAN H.. the magnificent" This
sultan 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 words spread
with lighJniug-lke rapidity through
| the streets Of the baZar occupied by
the shops of the Papaooutchdjis, who,
rapidly assembling from every lOnja III
the city, presented themselves armed
! before the serai, an army OF 10000
men. shouting the Moslem war cry,
Allah. Allah" The sultan. gratitied
by their loyalty and zeal in his service,
received their officers in audience,
made them name their own reward and
granted the four privileges asked for.
Of which the above named was one.
/ The apprentices to the various trades
are, when proficient, recommended by
| the master under whom they have
served their time to admission 10 the
guild of their craft, into which they
are formally admitted on engaging TO
observe its rules and paying the GUS
| tomary fee 1t is usual on these Oc-
/ casions for all present TO proceed
/ forthwith to some favOrite spot in the
neighborhood of the city, where the
rest of the day is spent in feasting and
merry making. Some guilds are COM
posed entirely of Moslems, as certain
callings are exclusively in the hands
of the ruling race; oIhers entirely of
| Christians. Many, however, include
adherents of both creeds, and as mem
bers of the same esnaf Christians and
Moslems, allied by an esprit de corps
and by trade interest. pull together
much better and evince mutually
| greater liberality of feeling than is
/ generally displayed in the social rela-
/ tlons of Greeks and Turks. AT their
al fresco festivities, which are also
held annually in honor of the patron
saint of the guild. the greatest har-
mony prevails. The amusements in
dulged in after the conclusion OF the
midday repast include a variety of
| Juggling and acrobatic performances,
wrestling matches. and for the Greeks
the syrtos hOros-the long drawn"
classic dance-during the execution of
which their Turkish fellow craftsmen.
seated on rush-bottOmed stools in front
of a rustic coffee-house. with long
stemmed tchibouks or bubbling mar
ghilehs, passively enjoy their kaif.
Every esnaf has its own special ira
ditional laws and usages which are
not less binding than is its Kanoun. or
written constitution, and the social Gus
toms and mode Of life OF their menl-
bers afford in many instances curious
and interesting illustrations of native
manners among laboring classes. OF
these the boatmen may be instanced.
naturally very numerous body in so
water-girt a city as Constantinople.
The ranks of this esnaf are largely re-
cruited among the youths, who come In
great numbers from Asia Minor to seek
their fortune in the capital Half a
dozen or more of these bekiars. or
bachelors" as they are termed. live
in common in some humble lodging
paying a fixed sum per day or per
week to an old man who acts as their
steward and cook, and also as their
counselor and arbiter in any disputes
that may arise in such a mixed house
hold. Their relations with the mas
ter bOatmen. to whom they serve a