The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-10-20

cussed the question of international copyright
with him, and 1t was his opinion that no
American who knew aught of literature com
mon to the two countries would doubt
as to the expediency of an international
copyright presume 1t may be taken
for granted that the authors In both
countries would desire such defense
of their rights. But IL will, perhaps, be argued
that great public interests should be held to be
paramount, and regarded as overrulIng alto.
eether the rights OF authors or the commercial
enterprises OF publishers. For myself, / will
say that / cannot see how any interest, how
ever great, can override Justice. II Justice
demand that the author shall have his copy
right, either home or International no public
interest should be allowed to rob him of il.
But altogether deny that public interest in the
United States demands any such robbery. The
true interest of international literature between
England ana America IS altogethor antagonlstic
to the present system. The American publisher
who, VIII not say pirates, but assumes as has
own the right of republshlng an English work.
has no legaliZed property in his venture, and
cannot retail 10 his customers his goods at that
price which an assured property in the work
would enable him TO reach, and, consequently
reprints of ENGLISH books in America are not
cheap. They are brought out in New York at
81 or Sl'25-at As. or Be-, We will say-when
they are being published in London at Is. to q.
90. II stands TO reason that a certlie property
in copyright must enable the publishing pro-
pIietor of that copyright to do more in the way
of cheap selling than can be done by the
unsteady hold of their precarious adven-
lures which the American booksellers now
possess. l have never met an American pub.
Usher who has not professed himself to be in
favor of international copyright but / have
met American legislators of both Houses who
have shaken their heads when have ventured
TO suggest that the mutual interests of the two
countries demand such reciprocal Justice. 1t
was their duty, they thought, to protect the
American reader IT there be one great politi-
cal lesson to be preached the WIDE world over,
1T is that lesson which would teach us to aban-
don the task OF protecting any one when pro-
tecnon means injustice. But how are we, VINO
are desirous of obtaining an international copy-
right with the United States-how are we TO
proceed to the attainment of our object All
Engllsbmen, with such exceptions only as
may prove the rule, desire it. The English
Legislature is willing to take the neces-
sary steps tomorrow, or, let us say, next
FEBRUARY. American authors wish for it,
as do also American publishers and booksellers.
But stll there is the American Congress to over
come. In ELeland we are now pretty well
aware that public opinion will at last move a
mountain-will at last move any mountain!
Our House of Peers, which is the greatest noun
tain know, is always movable at last. | be.
l1eVe that the same means will effect the same
results in the United States. Agitate. agitate
aeltate International copyright with the
United States WILL in all probability, never
benefit you and me; but think that we NAV do
VIII accrue from 1t to those who will come after
ns. BY insisting we shall carry our point-not
in opposition to our brethren in America. but
III full accord with tn m. In the hope that such
urgency may be OF avail, | have addressed these
few words to the Congress now present in fur
therance Of social science.
ANTHONY TRoLLopE.