The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-12-09
COPYRIGHT AGITATION,
Meetings to Urge the Passage OF the
International Copyright Bill

Copyright League, whose normal condition
OF somnolence reminds one Of a turtle in
the month Of January, has aroused from its
iethargy, and announced its intention OF
securing the passage of the copyright bill
during the coming session of congress.
1t is now just fifty years since the strug-
gle Tor copyright between this country and
England was begun. The cause, feeble
one at its inception, has grown stronger and
stronger every year, until now it has prac-
ideally no opponents in this country, and
only needs an awakening of popular inter-
est to become law About four years ago
the first authors readings In favor OF in
ternational copyright were given in New
York under the direction of George
Parsons Lathrop, and proved brilliantly
successful. Such men as Bishop Potter.
Henry Ward Beecher, Richard Watson
Glider, Julian Hawthorne, George w.
Cable sand VIII, Carleton entertained the
audiences that filed the little theater to its
utmost capacity on two successive after
moons. These readings were given under
the management of Mr.. Il. u. johnson,
associate editor Of the Century Magazine
and tho present secretary of the league
Mr.. johnson ought TO travel with base
Dali club as mascot. The next readings
were given in Washington, under the direc-
ton OF Mr.. A. nj. Palmer, and attracted
large audiences made up of the most brilliant
and distinguished people in the capital.
The object of these Washington readings
was to pave the way for the Chace copy
right bill, which was then before congress.
Now the authors and publishers have
resolved to push the Chace bill through
both houses OF congress this winter.
Mr.. Chace himself will 90 to
Washington and render all the assist
ance he possibly can to Senator Platt.
who has agreed 10 take the matter in hand
They will be supported, not only by the
authors and old established publishers of
hlgh-priced books like the Scribners, Ap-
pletons, Putnams and Lippincots, but also
those who have made speciality of cheap
reprints OF foreign publications, and who
have now come TO the conclusion that, with
just international law, they can make
much more money than they do at present.
The reason for this is obvious; under the
present system, cheap publisher issues a
l0-cent pirated edition Of a new English
novel, and prints 100000 copies which he
knows no can sell, but unknown TO him, his
competitor across the street has also ar
ranged 20 steal the same work and puts his
edition Of 100000 on the market the same
day. The result is that both publishers are
heavy losers. It would pay the publisher
much better to allow the English author O
royalty and have the exclusive control of
the American market for his book. Rob-
ert Belford said, only few days before his
failure, that he would gladly give $4,000
for international copyright.
IL Is proposed to hold several authors
readings this winter in different cities, be-
ginning Dec. Is, for the purpose OF
re-awakening popular interest. Among the
authors who are expected to take part In
fk. igtTrg
Edward Eggleston, Charles Dudley Warner,
Theodore Roosevelt, Richard Watson Gill
der and Edward Everett Hale. Hon. Seth
Low, Columbia's new president, will speak.
Other reidings will probably be given In
New York, Philadelphia and Chicago, aud
at these, in addition to the authors who
have taken part in previous years,
George Kennan, Brander Mathews and
Edward Bellamy will be heard. Il is
believed in view of the success which has
attended these readings in the past, that
they will make profound sensation in
Chicago, where, despite the aspersions of
the ST. Louis press and the humorous para
graphers in all the cities, there Is a large
reading public. Moreover, a genuine, live
author is something Of a rara avis in Chi
cago, and the chance of seeing eight or ten
Of them sitting on platform together, with
a score of prominent citizenso 10 leaven
the mass, will undoubtedly bring out the
wealth and fashion Of the western me-
tropolis.
Ii is certain that nevor before In the his
tory Of this half century's struggle has the
cause enlisted the gratuitous services Of as
many eminent men OF letters as IL does
to-day. James Russell Lowell Is the presi-
dent of the league, aud Gen. Lew Wallace,
DIR. Edward Eggleston and L. G. Stedman
the vice presidents X. u. johnson Of the
Century magazine is the secretary, and has
undertaken TO forward to all those who
apply to him two or three Interesting
pamphlets on the subject, which have been
prepared by well-known authors. Mark
Twain, who is q publisher az well as
an author, has devoted a good deal
Of time and attention to the subject, and
has written one or two admirable papers ON
it. Mr.. Richard Watson Glider, the poet
and editor Of the Century" magazine, is
another who is engaged in prosecuting the
work. | saw him the other day and ne as
sured mo of his belief that the bill would go
through with rush this winter. He also
advised me to call upon Count de Keratry,
who is in this country just now as the ac-
credited representative, not only OF the
literary guild of France, but also of the
government itself. and is endeavoring to
secure for his own country a copyright
treaty similar to that which is now pro-
posed with England.
Count de Keratry regretted his inability
to speak as freely on the subject as he could
wish. The count Is a man beyond middle
age, who has seen much military service In
BaZaine's Mexican campaign, and also
during the Franco-Prussian war.
II have seen many cemeteries since my
arrival In this country" said the count to
me, "and have observed that there are
still vacant places in all Of them. | think
that both you and | will be resting in the
tomb before any just and equitable copy
right law is passed. have been here three
or four months, and have made long
visit TO Washington. where / have talked
with many prominent statesmen on the sub
ject. have also studied attentively the Chace
BILL as it now stands, and l must say that
there is a clause in it to which we French
men could never consent. That is the clause
which stipulates that all books, even those
in foreign tongue, must be printed entirely
in this country. We would not object to
having translations printed here, but it is a
manifest injustice TO have this law applied
to the originals. With this clause in it the
bill Is not an authors copyright bill, but a
printers and publishers bill.
And vet the clause to which the count
objects has served to secure the cooperation
of the craftsmen who make the books and
whose influence will be of great service in
securing the passage Of the bill.
J. L. FORD.
Earthquakes in Italy.
ROME, Dec. s. S.--Earthquake shocks, felt
to-day in the central portion OF Italy.
ca a,ead mr.. loaa Of life or damage to prOr,-