The Titan · Chapter
Cowperwood and the Governor explained
Cowperwood attempts to bribe Governor Swanson with $300,000 to sign a franchise-extending bill, but Swanson refuses on moral and political grounds, vetoing the bill.
What happens
Cowperwood attempts to bribe Governor Swanson with $300,000 to sign a franchise-extending bill, but Swanson refuses on moral and political grounds, vetoing the bill. The chapter explores the political and media opposition to Cowperwood's scheme, the governor's background and motivations, and the strategic maneuvering of Cowperwood's rivals like Schryhart and Hand.
Themes in this chapter
Ambition and Power
Cowperwood's relentless pursuit of a franchise extension and his willingness to bribe a governor illustrate his overweening ambition and drive for power.
Corruption and Morality
The attempted bribe and the governor's moral stand highlight the conflict between corrupt business practices and ethical governance.
Politics and Public Opinion
The chapter details how newspapers, rival financiers, and the governor's political ideals shape the outcome of Cowperwood's legislative scheme.
Characters to notice
- Frank A. Cowperwood
Attempts to bribe Governor Swanson with $300,000 to secure a franchise bill; remains determined and genial despite defeat.
- Governor Swanson
Vetoes the bill on principle, despite financial ruin; later borrows $100,000 from Cowperwood.
- Norman Schryhart
Leads opposition to Cowperwood's scheme, strategizing with Hand to block the franchise extension.
- Hosmer Hand
Collaborates with Schryhart to oppose Cowperwood's legislative plan.
- Timothy Arneel
Mentioned among the financial interests puzzling over Cowperwood's scheme.
- Anson Merrill
Mentioned among the financial interests puzzling over Cowperwood's scheme.
Key passages
“Sign the bill and let me beat the men who are trying to beat me. I will support you in the future with any amount of money or influence that I can bring to bear in any political contest you may choose to enter, state or national.”
Cowperwood offers Governor Swanson a bribe of $300,000 and promises future support in exchange for signing the franchise bill.
This direct bribe attempt is the central dramatic moment of the chapter.
“My political belief, my ideals, compel me to veto this bill; when I forsake these I am done politically with myself.”
Governor Swanson refuses the bribe, stating that his principles force him to veto the bill.
Swanson's moral stance contrasts with Cowperwood's pragmatic ambition.
“Governor, you will live to see another legislature pass and another governor sign some such bill. It will not be done this session, apparently, but it will be done.”
Cowperwood predicts that despite this defeat, a similar bill will eventually pass in the future.
Cowperwood remains confident and undeterred by the veto.