Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1891-04-14
THE CopYRIcHr LEAGUE

Celebrates the Passage of the Inter.
national Copyright Law-Senator
Platt's Address-President Russellss
Acknowledgements Simond's Re.
marks.
New York, April 13.-The American
(Authors) Copyright league celebrated the
passing of the international copyright law
tonight with a Thanksgiving dinner at
Sherry's, 37th and 9th avenue. Edmund
Clarence Steadman presided and among
those present were Count Emile de Keratry,
of France, Senator o. II. Platt, Hon. Henry
Cabot Lodge, George William Curtis,
George w. Gable, President Seth Low, Hon.
AshbelP. Fitch, George Parsons Lathrop,
j. Wells Champney, Brander Matthews,
Augustus st. Gaudeus, Hamilton W. Ma
BILE and William W. Appleton. President
James Russell Lowell sent the following
letter:
Mao. E In GAse sa5 Mass april 81
on the 18th of April. We have not gained all
IN the Of
principle for which we have been contending. I
have a firm belief that matters will arrange
ard public opinion with it, as it is sure to do.
We have every reason therefore, for congratu-
lating each other and for giving public express
heartily glad to share in these fe,icitations. but
my health is at present so uncertain as to forbid
many na S and sincere e regrets S T. r. LOWELL.
William Edgar Simonds of Hartford, who
was kept at home by ill health, wrote say
ing that q large number of the members of
congress who voted for the bill did so be-
cause it was matter of right and wrong;
others, few in comparison, for friendship
for the printers. For himself, he was as
sured the act would decrease the price of
books except the very cheaper or the very
dear In conclusion the writer congratu-
lates the league on the bills passage.
Senator George F. Hoar of Massachu-
sets writes from Worcester expressing re-
greet at his inability to attend. He only
claims credit for the bill as the lieutenant
of Mr.. Platt In conclusion he says the
statute of last winter will probably need
some amendment after little time, "but
do not think there is danger of losing what
we have gained"
When Platt was introduced he was
greeted with cheers and the waving of
handkerchiefs, the ladies in the galleries
joining in the tribute paid to him. His
to accident-to Senator Chase of Rhode
Island, as much as anyone else, was due
its passage.
II esteem myself Fortunate" said the
senator, chat was able to take part in
this struggle. 1t was labor of love with
me, and felt that I was championing a
cause of love-"
The bill, he continued, had passed
through severe storm, and all Americans
had cause to congratulate themselves on
what has been accomplished. 1t was sixty
years since the contest began. Mr..
Dickens came to this country that he might
write work and influence the American
people to pass an international copyright
law To his failure in the latter Senator
Plat ascribed the tone of his American
Notes. He thought that it was sufficient
to place English authors on the same foot
ing with Americans. Americans asked
more than that in England. He believed
that the more the copyright law was stud
led the better the people would like it. He
concluded by paying compliment to
American literature, the average of which
he believed was as high as that of any
other country.
Henry Cabot Lodge followed Mr.. Platt.
He regretted that he had found among the
able editors of this country disposition
to take dark view of congress as whole.
Count Keratry spoke in French and was
heartily applauded. The count referred
to former struggle in which the French
government had aided the citizens of this
country. The fight had now been renewed
for the rights of thought. R. q. johnson,
secretary of the league, briefly reviewed
the struggle for international copyright.
President Harrison, ex-President Cleve-
land and other prominent men were in
vited to the dinner but sent regrets.