# LVIII: A Marauder Upon the Commonwealth explained — The Titan > Chapter companion for The Titan by Theodore Dreiser. ## What happens Cowperwood's attempt to secure a fifty-year franchise through the Illinois legislature faces fierce opposition from the press and reform groups. After a first bill fails, a second measure is passed and signed by Governor Archer, but the battle continues as public sentiment and newspaper attacks intensify. ## Themes in this chapter ### Ambition and Power Cowperwood's relentless pursuit of a fifty-year franchise demonstrates his drive for financial and political control, even in the face of widespread opposition. ### Corruption and Morality The bribery attempt, the manipulation of the legislature, and the cynical attitudes of politicians like Senator Christian highlight the moral decay in the political system. ### Politics and Public Opinion The chapter shows how newspapers and reform delegations mobilize public sentiment to influence legislative outcomes, creating a high-stakes political battle. ## Character check-ins ### Frank A. Cowperwood Determined to secure a fifty-year franchise, he works behind the scenes with political and financial allies, vowing to overcome newspaper and public opposition. ### Addison Cowperwood Present at lunch with Frank, listening to his emphatic declarations about the franchise battle. ### Judge Nahum Dickensheets Advises Cowperwood that the first bill cannot pass due to intense public pressure on legislators. ### Governor Swanson His veto of the original bill and his 'sterling attitude' are cited as an example for the current governor. ### Haeckelheimer Part of the financial interests (Haeckelheimer, Gotloeb & Co.) that support Cowperwood and help influence the new governor. ### Gotloeb Associated with Haeckelheimer in the financial group backing Cowperwood's efforts. ### Truman Leslie MacDonald His newspaper, the Inquirer, publishes an editorial warning against the franchise bill and attacking Cowperwood. ### Norman Schryhart Leads a committee of prominent citizens opposing Cowperwood, alongside Hand. ### Hosmer Hand Co-leads the opposition committee and is accused by Cowperwood of pulling strings behind the scenes. ### Timothy Arneel Mentioned by Cowperwood as part of the opposition crowd controlling the press. ### Walter Melville Hyssop Described by Cowperwood as dancing to Arneel's tune in the press campaign. ### Senator George Christian Exchanges sardonic remarks with Representative Greenough about the reform delegations. ### Governor Swanson His veto of the original bill is held up as an example to Governor Archer. ## Key lines > It can’t be done, Frank. It’s too grilling a game. Their home papers are after them. They can’t live. Judge Dickensheets tells Cowperwood that the first bill cannot pass because the legislators are under too much pressure from their local newspapers. _Highlights the power of the press in derailing Cowperwood's legislative strategy._ > They can all go to the devil. I have a right to an extension of my franchises for fifty years, and I am going to get it. Cowperwood angrily asserts his determination to secure the franchise extension despite all opposition. _Shows Cowperwood's defiant and uncompromising attitude._ > The whole idea smacks of chicane, political subtlety, and political jugglery. An editorial in the Inquirer condemns the franchise bill as a deceitful and manipulative scheme. _Illustrates the hostile media campaign against Cowperwood._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/lviii-a-marauder-upon-the-commonwealth - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_titan_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_titan_se/chapters