Question: Resolved, That Congress should pass the pending International Copyright Act.

Brief for the affirmative:

ALFRED SUTRO, J. M. MORTON, JR.

Best general references: Cheap Books and Good Books, by Brander Matthews, (published by American Copyright League.)

I. The United States is the only great nation that has not some provision of this sort.

II. Justice demands that Congress pass the bill, Century I, 942. a. for native authors, Century IX, 627. b. For our publishers. Mr. Estes in Report of hearing before Senate Committee on Patents, Jan. 28, 1886; Century I, 942; Lit. World, XX, 24; Pop. Sci. Mo. XIV, 530.

III. The measure would not raise the price of books. J. R. Lowell as above, p. 35; Academy XIV, 61; Sen. Com. Rep. p. 63. a. The experience of France, England and Germany have shown this. b. The bill could have little effect on the more scholarly works; Matthews, p. 9 et seq.

IV. The bill is not protective, Atlantic Mo. XX, 430, and, while not the best that could be devised, is better than none.

V. Our present system discriminates for bad books against good ones; Lit. World, XX, 24; and bears heavily on American authors; Critic VIII, 63.

VI. Public morality demands that the present system of literary theft be suppressed. J. R. Lowell as above.

Brief for the negative:

S. PARSONS and A. B. SIMONDS.

Best general references: N. A. Review, 148, 327; Philadelphia American, 7, 341.

The bill ought to pass, because:

I. It is unconstitutional. U. S. Cons., Art. I, Sect. VIII.

II. It cannot effect half the results claimed. Cornhill Mag., 43, 683; Max Muller, Pub. Circ., Jan. 10, 1891; Marston, Ibid; Houghton, Pub. Weekly, Jan. 17, 1891.

III. It is so framed as to benefit publishers rather than authors. Pub. Circ., Jan. 10, 1891; Pub. Weekly, Jan. 17, 1891.

IV. It deprives the people of cheap books, and lessens educational advantages. Public Opinion, IV, 444; VIII, 503, 568; IX, 161; N. A. Review, 148, 327.

V. It is objectionable as involving the principles of high protection. Public Opinion, IV, 285; VI, 516; VII, 175; American, VII, 341.