The Rugby gazette and east Tennessee news. (Rugby, Morgan Co., Tenn.) 1884-188?, 1886-12-04
MANDARlN.MAK
Shrewd Plans by Which Rich But Igno-
rant Cinnamon Secure High Offices.

rant Cinnamon Secure High Offices.
On entering what purported to be the
place where the great examinations
were held l found myself inside vast
wall surrounding few acres of what in
Chicago would be taken for cattle
sheds. Each one of these cattle-pen
looking stalls, of which there are 10000
in the Enclosure, is meant to receive P
candidate for examination.
This candidate sits crouched on a
board floor raised few inches from the
ground. 1t is hard to tell whether the
elevation is made to secure him from
dampness or to facilitate an inspection
of the premises by those whose business
1t is to see that no "skinning papers"
are used. The candidates body is PIN
toned to the back of the cell by sort of
sewing board, which slides in like a
shelf against his stomach. This is used
as table. These cells are arranged in
long tiers, with guardians at zach end
to see that no communication takes
place between the aspirant and the out
side world. At the ends of these alleys
stand large jars of water and caldrons,
in which the food is cooked and which
the guardians supply to them. No one
is allowed to leave his cell until his ex-
animation papers are completed. These
examinations last as long as the candi-
date can endure the discomfort Of his
rocittan oftan fnr cauorol dave
In the midst of these dreary little
prison alleys is a handsomely carved
pavilion, where sit the chief examiners
and high officials, and where the deter.
limitations are reached that make OF
unmake the Chinese office-seeker.
l hear that many man passed ex-
aminations here in way that would
surprise most people. Pretty much
every well-informed resident tells me
that the Chinese officials, as class, arc
irredeemably corrupt, and that none
but the rich men and crafty men can
afford to be Mandarins. The way this
| paradox is made to harmonic is some.
what as follows:
The rich Chinaman who wants to be-
come q Mandarin comes to Pekin some
weeks before the examination com
mences. He wants to look about, to
post himself as to the examiners he 4
to have, and, above all, select his ''sub.
stitute." This substitute" is a schol
arly but impecunious individual, who
loans his services to rich but brainles
candidates for mandarinship. Bargain
in China are of slow making, and for 8
work so delicate as this unusual time il
needed. There were on the steamer
coming up the Yellow sea with me
number of officials on their way to al
examination that was not to take plac
for several months.
Before entering Examination hall, tn
rich candidate and the scholarly but i'm
pecunious substitute" exchange names
When the papers are handed in the ricl
man has signed the poor mans nam
to q slovenly piece of work, while tn,
impecunious party has given the credi
Of his mastery manuscript to a wealth
patron. When the names of the sue
cossful candidates are announced on
wealthy knave takes his diploma, Will
our poor but equally knavish schola
takes the bride that is to support hir
until another wealthy candidate turn
up.
| One would think that man could M
long carry on profession of tn IS nature
So those think who do not know th
ramfications of corruption in Chini
The great crowd that goes into one e,
animation facilitates any mans sinkin
his identity. The question occurred t
me at once: If this poor devil could pa:
a Mandarin's examination, why did
not "sell out his patron and take til
office? The answer l received from II
knowing was that the getting to be
Mandarin was small matter compare
to holding yourself in power after yo
once get there, and that the "subst tut
in Pekin'' was, in view of his mean
doing very wise thing in remainin
where he was.
Of course there are number,ess way
of cheating in examinations. Chimes
'skinning papers" that have seen al
marvels of fine work, which one migl
expect of people who have brougl
the art of deception to degree of pei
lection hitherto undreamed Of Outint