New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-03-22
TIE 9rOpyRIGHTy QUESTION.


To he ESiiors Of ne NatOaaI htare-o-;
GEs1LEnEs: VIII you permit me IS, pub
Usher, to intrude word or two in regard TO
the propose Copyright Treaty
Publishers are such hard-bearted, selfish,
and mercenary set of men in the estimation Of
many that for one have refrained Of late from
any public expression of opinion on this sub
ject, simply because such expression on either
side might be construed into mere defense OF
selfish interests. Learning, however, during
short business visit here, that there appears
to be some misspprehension aflOat as to the PO-
stion Of publishers on this question, and that
more light, however little, may be useful, Iven.
ture 10 risk the imputstiOn OF presumption and
selfshness, and ask you 10 let me say
/. That the majority a; least, and believe
nineteen out Of every twenty publishers IN the
United States, would cordially approve an inter-
national copyright arrangement. based on equi-
table and obvious conditions, which.shOuld give
the largest possible benefit to authors OF both
countries. | say this the more confidently be-
cause it so happened that some years since |
procured personally the signatures of ninety-
seren publishers, printers, &c. 10 New-1ors,
Boston, Philadelphia, &c, TO a petition IN favor
of the measure; and within few weeks ALL
the leading publishers of New-York (as was
assured by one of them) had fully assented 10
the measure, provided only 1t embraced the
equitable conditions before mentioned
Thus much for the alleged opposition, &c,
on the part Of publishers. | would only beg
leave to add a word or two on the measure
itself
|. The objection urged by some that it would
largely increase the price ofbOoks this country,
and would be burdensOme tax on the reading
community | believe to be wholly unfounded.
1t can be shown, think conclusively, that with
copyright OF without it the interests OF pnbIsh-
ers will prompt them 10 make books cheap
suited in price to the character OF the market
and that in this country at least II Is more
profitable to publish books at moderate prices,
within the means Of the largest number OF read
ers, than il is 10 make them expensive. nave
not time now to 90 into detail, but this point
am confident can be proved to demonstration.
2. The numberOf original American publica-
tions republshed abroad increases 50 rapidly
that It will soon be, il it is not already, "a much
for our authors interest il is for that OF Brit
sh authors that each should be mutually pro-
tected.
there is better one, viz. that this reciprocity
is called for noo By national selfrespect, ordi-
nary maCnaniinity If not positive equity and
Justice The present construction OF the En-
plish law has already giren protection in England
10 American authors on certain conditions, and
they are now reaping its benefit. happened
To be present at a meeting in London In 1851,
called TO demonstrate against this protection to
foreign authors Gas given by Lord Campbell 5
decision), because il took away from English
authors the only quid pro quo they had TO offer
in negotiating with us. But one OF the speakers
took another ground. Let US, said he, q" do
the right thing, and not act on the principle
that two wrongs make one right. Let us pay
American authors who send us their books, and
| believe that equity and generosity Will beget
equity and generosity. believe that the peo-
ple of the United States are liberal and mag
unanimous people, and that il We take this course
they will be sure to respond And on THIS
principle English protection IS nOp giren to
Ameyican authors. Shall we be oatdOne by En-
Gland in generosity
One word more as TO the details and cOndi-
lions. Ii seems To me but equitable that this
measure should be strictly for the benefit OF
English and American authors, and shat IL
should not give to English publishers the night
10 force US 10 import their editions or else have
none. American authors will be ready % sell
their manuscripts 10 English publishers TO be
printed in England in the English modes and
/ dress. Let English authors be required, when
| claiming protection, to do the same with us f.,
/ and the American mode of making books for The
peopie-bookS at MODERATE PRICES for general
/ circalaiiOn-tciH not only yield tae English dH-
/ thor The most profitable returns, Dat II rH gre
fuploVmtnt and protection 20 the reTyiarge num-
+ Der Of men and ioOmeR engaged an the mGHgdc-
tiTe ofbooks IN this country; in the paper mills,
the tSpe-ioundries, the printing Offices, and the
! binderies. Thus the author will be paid on
each side the Atlantic, industry protected in
! its proper place, the publisher enabled TO man.
ufacture books in respectable aud economl-
cal manner free from the petty riyalres re
sultng from the present uns0unt state oithings,
and the reading public will be supplied with
fairly printed books which yield the author his
EQUITABLE per centage without any essential ad-
ditlon 10 the price
! III have been too presumptuous IN speaking
for others in " the trade, l trust they VIII De-
Geve that | do not knowingly mlsrepresent
their views A large number, whose views on
the subject know are fully persuaded that an
International Copyright Law, constructed IN
the mode here indicated would be not only
equitable and just but would be POiHic as a
matter of business. IL would essentially bene'
fit authors on both sides il would be better Tor
the trade, and il would njure nobody.
Respectfully, GEO. Z. PUTNAM,
of New-York, Publisher.
XAsHINGroS, March -, 1853
ff.a H.nsn