I have been on the continent of Europe for two and
a half years. I have met many Americans there,
some sojourning for a short time only, others making
protracted stays, and it has been very gratifying to
me to find that nearly all preserved their Americanism.
I have found they all like to see the Flag fly, and
that their hearts rise when they see the Stars and
Stripes. I met only one lady who had forgotten
the land of her birth and glorified monarchical institutions.
I think it is a great thing to say that in two and
a half years I met only one person who had fallen
a victim to the shams—I think we may call
them shams—of nobilities and of heredities.
She was entirely lost in them. After I had
listened to her for a long time, I said to her:
“At least you must admit that we have one merit.
We are not like the Chinese, who refuse to allow
their citizens who are tired of the country to leave
it. Thank God, we don’t!”
With Mr. Howells, Edward Everett
Hale, Thomas Nelson Page, and a number of
other authors, Mr. Clemens appeared before the committee
December 6, 1906. The new Copyright Bill contemplated
an author’s copyright for the term of his life
and for fifty years thereafter, applying
also for the benefit of artists, musicians,
and others, but the authors did most of the talking.
F. D. Millet made a speech for the artists, and John
Philip Sousa for the musicians.
Mr. Clemens was the last speaker
of the day, and its chief feature.
He made a speech, the serious parts of which created
a strong impression, and the humorous parts
set the Senators and Representatives in
roars of laughter.
I have read this bill. At least I have read
such portions as I could understand. Nobody
but a practised legislator can read the bill and thoroughly
understand it, and I am not a practised legislator.
I am interested particularly and especially in the
part of the bill which concerns my trade. I
like that extension of copyright life to the author’s
life and fifty years afterward. I think that
would satisfy any reasonable author, because it would
take care of his children. Let the grandchildren
take care of themselves. That would take care
of my daughters, and after that I am not particular.
I shall then have long been out of this struggle,
independent of it, indifferent to it.
It isn’t objectionable to me that all the trades
and professions in the United States are protected
by the bill. I like that. They are all
important and worthy, and if we can take care of them
under the Copyright law I should like to see it done.
I should like to see oyster culture added, and anything
else.
I am aware that copyright must have a limit, because
that is required by the Constitution of the United
States, which sets aside the earlier Constitution,
which we call the decalogue. The decalogue says
you shall not take away from any man his profit.
I don’t like to be obliged to use the harsh
term. What the decalogue really says is, “Thou
shaft not steal,” but I am trying to use more
polite language.
