Mehmet Raif Bey

Mehmet Raif Bey was born in Istanbul in 1852/53 (AH 1269); the father's occupation was "Bosna Hersek kıtası teftiş başkâtibi". Work began in 1866/67, at about 14, on a first salary of 100 kuruş. The first annual entry, for 1866/67, names Mehmet Raif as Nizamiye kayıt kalemi memuru, with no place. At the same time, from 1871 to 1876, the lists also place Mehmet Raif in Istanbul as Bidayet Mahkemesi ikinci hukuk dairesi mahkeme kâtibi. Alongside, the lists for 1875 to 1899 give a second post, in a post with no place named as Maden İdaresi muhasebe kalemi memuru. Alongside, the lists for 1876/77 give a second post, in Bursa as Vergi kâtibi; sonraki tasdikte aşar başkâtibi. The last post was in Istanbul again in 1894/95. In place of a title the lists give İstifa (resignation) for 1876/77.

The salary went from 100 kuruş a month in 1866/67 to 4,500 in 1898/99, the peak, when 98 per cent of paid officials earned less. Over 34 years the salaries add up to 513,444 kuruş, 3 times what an official on the median salary earned. Pay rose to 45 times the first salary; fewer than 5 per cent of the 2,724 officials paid for ten years or more rose as far. The final annual entry is for 1898/99.