1332 TURKEY
four sovereigns who have ruled Turkey since the foundation of the empire and of the reigning house : —
House of Othman.
Othman ....
1299
Murad IV., 'The Intrepid '
1623
Orkhan ....
1326
Ibrahim
1640
Murad I. .
1359
Mohammed IV.
1648
Bayezid I., 'The Thunder-
Suleiman II. .
1687
holt' ....
1389
Ahmed II. .
1691
Interregnum
1402
Mustafa II. .
1695
Mohammed I. .
1413
Ahmed III. .
1703
Murad II
1421
Mahmud I. .
1730
Mohammed II., Conqueror
Othman III..
1754
of Constantinople .
1451
Mustafa III. .
1757
Bavezid II. ...
1481
Abdul Hamid I.
1773
Selim I. . . .
1512
Selim III. .
1789
Suleiman I., 'The Magni-
Mustafa IV. .
1807
ficent ' .
1520
Mahmud II.
1808
Selim II
1566
Abdul-Medjid
1839
Murad III.
1574
Abdul-Aziz .
1861
Mohammed III.
1595
Murad V. (Ma^
30) '.
1876
Ahmed I. .
1603
Abdul-IIamid II
• (Aug. 31)
1876
Mustafa I. .
1617
Mohammed V. (April 27)
1909
Othman II.
1618
Mohammed VI.
(July 3)
1918
The civil list of the Sultan is variously reported at from one to two millions sterling. To the Imperial family belong a great number of crown domains, the income from which contributes to the revenue.
Constitution and Government.
Forms of constitution, after the model of the West European States, were drawn up at various periods by successive Ottoman (lovermnents, the first of them embodied in the ' Hatti-Humdyoun ' of Sultan Abdul Medjid, proclaimed November 3, 1839, and the most recent in a decree of Sultan Abdul-Hamid II., of November 1876. The latter provided for the security of personal liberty and property ; for the administration of justice by irremovable judges ; the abolition of torture, the freedom of the Press, and the equality of all Ottoman subjects. Islam was declared to be the religion of the State, but freedom of worship was seemed to all creeds, and all persons, irrespective of religion, were declared eligible to public office. Parliament should consist of two Houses, a Chamber of Deputies and a Senate. Senators should bo at least 40 years of age, and would be appointed by the Sultan from among those who have rendered distinguished service to the State. Deputies must be at least 80 years oft age, and are elected in the proportion of one tor every 50,000 male inhabitants. The mode of election is not laid down in the Constitution, but is the subject of a separate law under which the deputies are chosen by colleges of secondary electors for each Sanjak. Secondary electors must be at least W [years ofaga. They are elected Ironi communes and urban wards in the proportion of one for every 500 primary electors. Subject to certain minor disqualifications, all male Ottoman subjects of not less than '-'a years of age are primary electors, provided they pay direct taxes to the State. Civil or military officials may offer themselves for election, but must immediately resign their posts on being returned.
This constitution became for all practical purposes B dead letter in 1878,
