New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-21

Tslauiiauc property for American writer's but for
s'cas me work of anothors brain is lust as much
S roh nm thief as he who takes a mans purse and
eht You found President Cleveland entirely sym
name 70 W bo your PURPOSE and glad to append his
nlc Is me President. therefore. whom YOU in this
sts Clnh as members Of the American Drama,
mo, only can YOU honor him for that but for the
duties "a snh h shGere way in which he discharged the
tirea rom public life, each will accord to him
sincerity, sterling patriotism and honesty of pur-
retirement, Nppause)
ing the Presidency. expressed the hope that he
nnt always have the frmness and the virtue to
10 which human nature can attain-the character OF
n to- no. henes5 man And h9weyar men may der
cesses OF his Administration ] believe there is one
hs pea pGn ha re he %Tnn Ws he
lnston declared to be The highest distinction-that
OF being considered by his counrymer an honest,
sincere and upright man. NpplaIse)
SENATOR O. II. PLATT SPEAKS.
In naming the United States Congress-" as the
next toast for consideration. Mr.. Howard spoke in
terms Of the warmest gratitude to those members
who had devoted their energies to the passage OF
the law which had for its object the protection OF
American literature and of American dramatists
Senator Orville II. Plat the first speaker TO
respond TO the toast In his introduction Mr.. How
ard pointed out that Senator Plat had consented
10 attend the dinner only the understa ndng that
he would he required TO do nothing more than make
a conventional stage bow But the warm greeting
that was extended TO the Senator induced him to
speech he spoke of the elevatng influences OF the
stage And after explaining The difficulties that
Congress who were bent on the enactment of the
Copyright law he spoke at some length upon the
to the dramatic art and literature of America His
remarks were loudly applauded.
RESPONSE OF GENERAL DRAPER.
General William F. Draper also responded to the
toast. AS chairman Of the House Committee
Patents General Draper took a prominent part In
securing the passage of the act, and the reception
given to him last night showed that this fact had
not been forgotten. He spoke follows
Mr.. President. Ladies and Gentlemen: / fully APP
precate the opportunity afforded me this evening
Of meeting around the festive board the most dis
sion in America Prior TO my Congressional service
dramatic authors and actors. except as an OCCASION
al occupant of a seat In front OF the foolghts mot
tee having charge OF copyright legislation has en-;
abled me to meet some OF you mos; pleasantly
W. Before 50 knew new YOU knew nothing and
now am l. II man should speak truly, little better
We are called together Tonight as understand
it. not only to partake Of this exquisite dinner Du!
Copyright bill in which YOU all interested and
the House of Representaves was enabled to do
you and the country a service. This bill gives 10
not. enjoyed before owing to the manner in which
their works are brought before the public, although
the same privileges others. Applause9
Our Constitution and laws reoGgnize-l may say
are based upon-the rights OF private property: II
man earns or inherits a house or lands, or other
tangible possessions he is protected in their enjoy
ment. II this be right. and without 1t our civiiza-
ton would disappear. how much more should a
man be entitled to the control of his own creation
made the book or play that he has written?
AS this control is more difficult to give than or
binary protection to tangible piCperty, II was
comparatively late development but to-day all
civilized nations recognize inventions and literary
compositions the property of the composer or
inventor for term OF years. conditioned upon
their being free to the public after that term n mas
before this amendment, while authors or BOOKS
etc. may have been adequately protected the ora
matte author found his protection delusion ana
Irresponsible parties obtaining possession Of
which was Of great value. could render 1t in one OF
Federal circuits until an Injunction was OBJ
York They could then cross the river to New
and play IT hfre h nn1 r an and
produce It there, and so on, until the round was
re ads to steal another play The necessary delays
of the courts would just about suit the convenience
of the pirates under ordinary circumstances
NOW BINDING EVERYWHERE.
This amendment makes the injunction of United
States court in one circuit binding all over the
United States unless reason is shown WIZ the in
junction should be set aside This Is enlarge
ment of the powers OF the United States courts IN
copyright matters which is just and salutary. and
Other ,erI affections Where needed tApplause)
There are other provisions of the bill on which
w R With dwe OPPOSITION IN the House
none was developed AT the committee hearings, and
cc,wrieht associations outside OF your own body
l viii now give brief history of the passage OF
1t was introduced in a somewhat different form
years ago in the Liz Congress when our 1
of the Patent Committee and a member
on the minority side Although he took the great
est interest in the bill. and was sustained by the
committee with substantial unanimity. he found y
impossible to get it fairly Sr an9 we a
make little diversion and explain some Of the
difficulties that confront legislation out Of the ordi-
nary routine. however desirable.
Our National legislative todies cannot SIT more
than three hundred days In the year. and not moro
than half that If members are 10 attend TO po-
tical campaigns, as expected and to keep In touch
prlatlon and revenue bills, the obtaining OF money
for the Government, and providing for its eX-
occupy necessarily the larger part OF the sessions
however long they may be- s n one e Gsy
each fortnight to the local affairs OF the District
Attention such as foreign affairs and currency
questions and still others are OF lttle less I'M
rbaTee legislation affecting his district that he
must try TO get before the House If he is to be con-
I1nder these circumstances the time for consd
ering anything else is limited and there Is con-
slant pressure on the part of committee chairmen
and others for a share % it. The man. outside the
Committees that have the right Of way, who can
con,,nce tne Speaker or the Committee on Rules
~ his measure is not only meritorious but more
rnnortant than others demanding consideration, is
Tnri,vnsfn and | began to think when thc session
,vae far advanced that was not 10 be reckoned In
that category. -, ,-.so.o o,,, ooror,t,,oo ,os,
ntnr u was considered promptly, amended in
some small particulars and placed upon me calen.
go ,hen sought for opportunity 10 BRING II
before the House. and sought in vain Meeantime
.Hro,,ch The efforts Of Senators Patt and I'LL, the
w, ous osseI tho Senate and had the added i'm
nnrtancc given by consideration and approval In
~, nod, Again il waited till al last the oppor-
mi o3roo about thirteen months after II was
placed on House caendar from w S nm oyh The
,,.ol assace was comparatively an easy matter
although there vas CONSIDERING oppos1pn Tna
ON r'ino IF your city rendered valuable assist
anu a. ,bn aoor and the majority in its favor was