The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-12-06

English publishers was closed, in 1854, by the deci-
sion Of Lord s. Leonard, reversing a decision Of
Lord Campbell, in which il WAS held that foreign
author whose work appeared first in England was
entitled 10 copyright That this decision OF Lord ST.
American publishers had opposed all attempts TO procure
an intel national copyright there cannot be doubt in
deed openly avowed in his remarks while rendering
the decision Thus suddenly then, the English field
closed 10 the American author the right to property
which the honest publisher had paid swept away and the
pirate left 10 plumber al his will The American author,
then, driven back the field Of his ooun
try for honestly disposed English publisher dare risk
pound on an American work he may have the motnca-
ton praed the very day. thrust upon
market at the mere cost OF printing and binding Here
the rogue seen TO have the honest man at his mercy
But the most injurious phase OF this system Is that
affords the English pirate opportunity Of making tho
works Of authors supply the place OF such works
authors Thus the English pirate takes the bread Of
the mouth of certain English authors without putting any
into that OF the American whose works he steals Again,
gives him advantage the American publishers,
and which that narrow headed gentleman begins TO dis
is seriously affecting his trade; for, while he de-
luges the English market with cheap American books, on
which he has copyright to pay he prints English books
in England where labor and material thirty per cent
cheaper than with u.s. by establishing agencies here
deuges this market with all varieties trash which he sells
less than half the American manufacture This phase
ofthe free stealing principle is now developing itself to
an alarming extent and alike damaging TO the printing,
binding and paper manufacturing interests of this country
Not long since we had occasion to visit several towns in
the interior OF this State, in all OF which found the
bookstores laden with these cheapy manufactured Eng
sh books They seldom noticed by the press, but
pass quietly INTO the market, and supply large
portion OF the demand for reading Some Of these
books of the most trashy description got up with
snowy to deceive the purchaser indeed, what
may be termed fash literature. IN several instances
assured that this class of English manufactured
books furnished more than half Of the booksellers
trade But you have need of going into the country
same phase Of the trade may be seen throughout
this city. And this is the state Of things produced
by the opposition of publishers TO international
copyright Nor must it be forgotten that their love for
reprntng this poison of foreign writer's which they could
have for the stealing has seriously affected public
Under the influence OF this international free stealing then
But the American publisher will tell you that he wants
to educate the American people at cheap rate that they
opposed to an international copyright This decep
ton necessary to his system of trade We have much
respect for the honesty Of the American people believe
that they would take any part degrading mental labor
or desire TO see continued system that nfics wrong
class OF the community, that another may profit by
it, We not speaking OF such authors Dickens, Bull
and mackeray for they find nominal protection in
this country well by the laws Of TASTE which create
fixed demand for their works as by etiquette Of 'the
trade that holds it dlshonorable for publisher to
publish the head of another in other words that the
best thief has the best right to the plumber In England
such pous respect for priority OF theft known the
trade Let US hope members of Congress will take
the matter hand reopen the field our authors and
render them act of justice they have long pleaded for
in vain There is here excellent chance for
honest member to distinguish himself Fear only pre-
vented Mr.. Everett from doing 1t.