, 1879-05-25

a correspondent yesterday Joined issue
with The TRIBUNE, somewhat precipitately,
on the subject Of international Copyright.
| LIE TRIBUNE has not opposed international
copyright as such. It has simply directed
attention to the fact that the present agita-
ton for Copyright law is produced by sell
fish motives. The publishers who are now
foremost in urging the Government to neeo-
tiate Copyright law wore few years ago
active in opposing treaty. They are on
record as having espoused both sides Of the
question within very short time.
The cause Of this sudden change Of front
on the part Of many American publish
ers is admitted to be the fierce competition
they have been subjected to by the projectors
Of the t*Lakeside," "Seaside," and other
similar s*1dbraries," which give the peo-
pie the best English books at mere
ly nominal sums. This competition is
perfectly legitimate. Tho projectors Of the
81 Libraries " in question are only doing now
what every American publishing house, ut ;
some period Of its existence, has done. It is
true that some Of the most reputable and
wealthy houses have Of late years paid Ger
tain authors percentages for the privilege Of
printing authorized American editions of
their works, and especially for the advantage
OF printing from advance-sheets. But it is
not true that these percentages have been
paid to al foreign authors alike, or that the |
practice has grown into an established |
usage. Moreover, the. practice of old aud
wealthy houses has and should have no bind
ing effect on young and comparatively feeble
concerns Much Of the capital welded by
the former was acquired, it should be re-
memborsd, by precisely the methods Of do
ing business which they now condemn.
1.-The courtesy Of the trade, in accordance
with which priority rights Of the old houses
Ire recognized among themselves, is new
'1pedient, good as far as it goes, but of
course not intended for the benefit Of out
aders, and, therefore, having no claim on
heir consideration. The operation Of this
courtesy differs in no respect from that of
ny other pool. The only obstacle to its
'erfect success is the fact that the members L
1t cannot prevent competition. They
ave no monopoly Of the market. If they
~' @4eJ "oaAA aoou DtCD1ue iS powerful IS :
railroad pool, and have the public as COM .
iete!y at their mercy. The main object Of the E
resent agitation for IN international copy s
ght is to give These publishers the monopoly
icy desire. Having grown rich by the s
ant OF an international copyright, they I
ek to prevent new competitors from grow .
6 rich in the same way: They can now u
ford to pay royalties to authors better than Il
meet the prices Of & fierce and unrestricted c
mpetition. Ii
A way to test the sincerity Of the publish N
who are now clamoring for an inter- al
tional copyright, and urging the rights of p
erary men in the premises; will be r.
take off at :. once ell. restrictions " "
on the Importation Of foreign books. th
init the foreign author, since he co
50 badly abused, TO select his own publish Ill
and present his wares in our market as hs FRI
IS fit The benefits conferred upon for I'M
Il authors by a measure Of this description tl'
Md be intellectually greater than those en- o. o.
cd by them under limited American -. -,
wright. There would be only one pub wo
'er's profit to Day. instead Of two. and the ! ur1