There remained as the special functions of government, first, the careful elaboration and watchful improvement of the regulations under which the Ruling Institution and the state were organized; second, the keeping of every part of the administrative machinery in the best possible order and condition; third, the acquisition of enough money and means to carry out the purposes of the government, and the supplying of this money and means in suitable quantity at the time and place needed and to the proper persons; and, fourth, the preparing and recording of all written acts necessary to the transaction of the business of the government. A fifth function was the adjustment of disputes between subjects of the empire who were not connected with the government; this was attended to largely by another institution, though supported and executed by the members of the government itself. The first of these functions, that of legislation, was cared for chiefly by the sultan himself; the second, of administration, was controlled by his viziers; the third, of finance, was managed by the _Defterdars_ through twenty-five departments; the fourth, of chancery, was under the power of the _Nishanjis_; the fifth, of justice between the subjects, was, in matters controlled by the Sacred Law, administered by the _Ulema_, the learned men of the Moslem Institution, under the headship of the _Kaziaskers_. These five functions were by no means so clearly separated as were the groups of officials concerned with them. A logical classification of duties would have necessitated much readjustment.