The New York herald., 1879-10-29
A QUESTION FOR MR.. CORNELL.

MR.. JOHN JAY ASKS If HE rs TRUE TO THE
PRINCIPLES OF THE CINCINNATI CONVENTION
AND THE CAUSE OF CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
letter has been sent to the Republican State
Committee by Mr.. John Jay. acknowledging nottf-
cation of his having been appointed vice president
Of of their ratification meetings. and containing
some pertinent suggestions to Mr.. A. b. Cornell and
the leaders of the party in this State Mr. Jay states
at the outset that the notification indicated with O.
request for advice in he should object. did
not reach him until after the meeting;
aud the announcements that he had served
in the capacity of vice president induces him
to say to the committee that before indorsing the
ticket he would be glad to know-and he thinks that
thousands OF republicans would welcome the assur-
ance-that Mr.. Cornell. tho candidate for Governor.
has taken his stand upon the national platform
adopted at Cincinnati, and that, II elected lie will.
far as may properly belong to his office. assist
the national administration to carry its principles
.Air Cornell" the letter continues. ''is presented
to us representative Of republican principles;
and when republicans asked to say whether or
not they will ratify the nomination the question
how truly does Mr.. Cornell represent theinY" Mr..
jay then proceeds to elucidate some OF the prnci.
pies which have been enumerated in the platform OF
the republican party, and on which Is based re-
formed civil service The first OF these is that Sena
tors and Representatives should not dictate appoint
ments to oiee another was that the invariabe rule
in appointments should have reference to the
honesty. fidelity and capacity of the appontecs
ana again another was thnt Ill puollc Oucers VINO
betray official trusts shall be held to rigid
responsibility. How far the course of Mr.. Cornell
was regarded by the government at Washington as
exemplifying these rules. the letter says. may DO
seen by the language used by the President in his
message to Congress. January 81. 1879. submitting
documents in relation to the suspension OF the late
Collector and Naval Officer of the port of New York.
In that message President Hayes aid:-"They have
the Custom House q centre OF partisan politi-
cal management" and that he regarded it his plain
duty to suspend the officers in question.
The lettor dwells at some length on the system OF
management which prevailed during the regime OF
the officials alluded to- claiming that through fagrant
ab buses the government sustained considerable loss.
III letter. while intmating that those abuses are
no almost forgotten by the administration. under
the honest application of the Cincinnati rules. the
memory Of them will hardly be permitted
by the democracy to sleep till the open'
ing Of the Presidential canvass, II it. Ia
understood that the republican. virtue inspired by
the Centennial has already faded In view of these
and many other considerations. Mr.. Jay submits
that doubts and dangers which seem to gather about
the party may in great part be dspeled by simple
declaration from Mr. Cornell and his associates. and
also by tho committee. that they. one and ALL are
resolved to stand by the national platform Of Gin.
cinnat and to hold faithfully to its principles aud
pedueS.