The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-09-02
Chinese Literati.


I1 China 10 pass an examination Is the
only entry to ala careers. and scholars from
roe only privileged class. One very i'm
portant privilege is that no torture may be
used upon them. And yet the literau are
OF an the Chinese the most ignorant OF
foreign countries. and the most arrogant
in tncir IDEAS For the examinations for
which they study consist Of nothing but
,.say-writing and verse-making.
one OF their examination censors states
that TO his knowledge a great deal Of
cheating goes on In the examination. IL
not unusual for candidate 20 throw
copy OF the theme. as soon as Il Is an
Uounced. to confederate over the wall.
vho sends back the required essay. the
servants IN attendance are often PROBES
slonal essay writer's. and for considera-
zion are willing 20 lend their services.
Substitutes are also often introduced 10
impelsonate the real candidates. some
Who were caught red-handed were SEN
fenced 20 be exposed for three months
outside the prison doors, wearing cangues.
aud then 10 be banished for military serv-
See "a "a pesulential region.
ANY one may become mandarin by
RAISING an examination. and obtaining =
nomination. but apart from 1--WE OF six
o.d families. in which rank Is hereditary,
800 one can found Noble house. son
Of a dignitnry Is at most step lower
Than his father. aud a few generations
brings the descendants down TO the level
of the ordinary multitude. But not one ~
hundred graduates ever gets post, and
rot one IN five hundred competitors OBJ
tains a degree
sun. an the students are red-sashers.
md belong 90 the "liierati." sharing IN the
dignity, influence. and preiudices OF the
tAst. Those without government pefiha
take 10 a variety OF callings. Very many
oi them get employment as school teaeh-
ers attorneys. aud clerks IN public offces'
or become headmen in villages where no
governmental Offices are assigned. They
are allowed to set up fiagpoles IN front OF
their houses, or red placards over their
doorways announcing TO the world the
graie they have attained. A few are re-
nuced TO poverty. and have 20 live on thelr
wits as letter writers. engrossers OF DEEDS
physicians. and fortune teilers, aud the
remainder become authors.
Zoo whatever way they turn their learn
lnf 90 account. an enjoy no small degree
%. power and influence in their native
places. and are looked up to as authorities
ul their ow-townsmen.
the laws that concern the officials
re carried out China would be the least
g. rupt country in the world. There i a
Y" forbddlng any man to hold Office IN
% native province, or TO take a wife from
TIE ilsixSt over which he has temporary
control. nor can he own land In Il. sun
it.s can he have a son. brother. or near
relation holding ONCE under him. FREE
elent changes OF station are made. ana
uiso every ehree years catalogue 10
made OF the merits and faults Of ell the
oihcials IN the empire. Each provinelai
governor makes q report on his subordi-
Mates and Is also required to accuse him
sell n necessary. on these reports man
narins are raised or lowered 10 rank. ara
n is not surprising that under this system
me public life Of most Chinese officials IL
remarkable series OF ups and downs.