Mr. Morris to Mr. Seward.
Sir:* * * * *
In order to obviate the abuses of government in the provinces, the Porte is about dividing Asiatic Turkey into three great provinces, of the first of which, embracing the present provinces of Damascus, Saida, and Jerusalem, Damascus will be the capital. Of the second, embracing the present provinces of Aleppo Erfas, Adana and Marash, Aleppo will be the capital. The third government will include the pachalicks of Kurdistan and Erzeroum, with the city of Erzeroum as capital
The evils of decentralization will by this system be lessened, and a closer responsibility to the central government be created. A large increase of power over that enjoyed by the present provincial governors will be granted to their successors under the new system, that they may be able to reflect the policy and views of the Porte with greater vigor; but they will be held to a more strict responsibility for their acts and the condition of their respective governments. It is expected that this administrative reconstruction, and the changes and reforms connected with it, will have a tendency to improve the government of Asiatic Turkey, a part of the empire which has suffered more than any other from the corruption and malpractices of its rulers, and whose evil administration has been such a fruitful source of crime and disorder.
Another very important reform is also about to take place. The judges, who have heretofore been appointed for a year, are to hold their offices during good behavior. At present the judges are paid exclusively out of the expenses of the [Page 385] suits instituted before them, and from this source they compensate their employés. In all cases it is the plaintiff who pays the judicial expenses of the suit. As these judges are supported by fees alone, it is, of course, their interest to increase the amount of the same as much as possible. Such a system of itself explains the origin of the extortion and corruption incident to all Turkish tribunals. Hereafter the judges are to be paid out of the state funds, which will certainly cheapen justice and. remove the. temptations to existing corrupt practices.
The flattering prospects recently held out with reference to the finances of the empire cannot be realized. A deficiency of more than 120,000,000 piastres has been discovered, of which the enemies of the present grand vizier are taking advantage to drive him from office. It is proposed, however, to equalize the receipts and expenditures in the published budget by certain economies in the different bureaus of administration. The government has been obliged to negotiate a new loan of 2,200,000 Turkish liras at eight per cent. per annum. A part of this loan is to be disposed of by the holders of it through a lottery, a system greatly in vogue in Europe and Germany, especially for raising money for state purposes.
With great respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.