New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-05-03
THE COPYRIGHT BILL LOST.
REJECTED IN THE HOUSE BY 1875 NAYS TO
9S YEAS.

THE OPPOSITION CENTRED AROUND THE IDEA
OF" CHEAP LITERATURE PLEAS FOR THE
NATIONAL HONOR OF 40 AVAIL.
Washington. May 2.-Thc Copyright bill was de-
fcatcd in the House today after long debate, by
a vote Of % yeas TO 1876 nays. Before the result
WAS announced Mr.. Breckenridge. Of Kentucky, who
voted In tho affirmative, changed his vote to the
negative for the purpose of moving reconsideration
Mr. Hopkins OF Illinois, moved to lay this motion on
the table and when the House finished its afternoon
| session no action had been taken on either motion.
| Action NAV be had on them to morrow In the final
vote as a general rule, the Republicans supported
the measure several Western Republicans, however.
voting with the Democrats in the negative. Carlisle,
DUMMY McAdoo, Reilly, Fitch, Flower and Spin0la
were among the Democrats who voted for the BILL
Mr. Hopkins, OF Illinois, began the attack on the
bill declaring that the inevitable result Of IL would
be to create u gigantic publishing monopoly. which
would raise the price of every book and periodical
printed IN thls country, and would impose tax on
every reader Of books. lie denounced daInnablc
the Third section Of the bill which he declared pro
hibited the importation Of foreign books.
Mr. Bland Of Missouri, characterized the bill as
scheme for monopoly. 1t absolutely prohibited the
importation Of any book prnicd abroad \ foreign
book could not be copyrighted here until II printed
In the United states. The foreign author would be
compelled to sell his copyright to American pub
Usher and great publishing monopoly would be
created.
Mr.. Mills, Of Texas. asked Why should copy
right be given 10 foreign aIth0r, ? WHAT was the
obccl 1t to increase the price OF the authors
books, 10 arrest 4hc wheels OF civilization stop tho
education OF tho masses. and to turn back the
path Of progress.
Mr. McAdoo, OF NcwJcrscy, said that the copy
right law written ~ Moses on the tablets of
stone In the words Thou shalt not steal and thc
first opposition TO the copyright law the cry Of
monopoly. II a devoted his time and SIKH to
making the delicate mechanism Of watch, it became
his property. and the whole civilized world said
Hand, on that Is his property But, If he turned
his skill and labor 10 making book the whole world
chased after il, and 1t any mans property.
Larceny made respectable.
Mr. Carlisle. Of Kentucky, sa!d that without know
ing perfectly the details Of the bill he would support
it account Of the general principle involved. lie
had never been able Ia soc why man should not be
Just much entitled 70 protection in the ownership
Of the product, Of his Intellectual labor in the
products Of his manual labor, and In fact every III
crary work involved To- extent manual labor.
Mr. Lodge, OF Massachusetts,. spoke earnestly foi
the bill There was one other appeal lie wanted 10
make. and that wa, tia Congrcs, should furnish 10
the reading public. to American girls and boys, Young
men and Women American book, that would breathe
American ideas ana teach them To respect and admire
American Government and society and not a system
Of government and society wholly allen 10 them.
Messrs. Covert and Farquhar Of NewYoik. and
buitcrTOrih, Of ohio. gave their support 10 tho
measure In carnes' speeches.
ON motion nj Mr.. IaysOn. amendment
adopted providing that whenever any foreign nation
shall by H. laws or by convention treaty grant
10 he citizen Of the United states rights property
and privileges equal TO those granted by this bill %
ctfou- ~ foreign cOun'ric, m" President shall make
public Proclamation thereof. and from The date Of
the Proclamation The citizens ~ the foreign country
shall he entitled to the rights, property and pryi-
legc, hereby granted.
Another amendment Of Mr. Payson, striking ont tho
clause which prohibits the impor alton 81 foreign
book printed abroad for which n copyright Ia, been
granted hy the United states. wa, also adopted
The vote then taken on tho cncro,Snlcnt and
third reading II the bill and IL defeated: Yeas
81. nays l2G.