The Titan · Chapter
LXI: The Cataclysm explained
Chicago faces the threat of a streetcar monopoly as Cowperwood, backed by Eastern capital, pushes for a fifty-year franchise.
What happens
Chicago faces the threat of a streetcar monopoly as Cowperwood, backed by Eastern capital, pushes for a fifty-year franchise. Despite public outrage, newspaper denunciations, and a hostile mayor, Cowperwood resorts to bribery, offering aldermen up to thirty thousand dollars for their votes. The chapter culminates on the night of the council vote, with the city hall surrounded by thousands of protesters and aldermen like Simon Pinski facing hostile crowds.
Themes in this chapter
Ambition and Power
Cowperwood's relentless pursuit of a fifty-year franchise demonstrates his iron will and ambition to dominate Chicago's streetcar system.
Corruption and Morality
The chapter details widespread bribery of aldermen and the moral outrage of the public and press.
Politics and Public Opinion
The battle over the franchise is fought through newspapers, public meetings, and political intimidation.
Individual vs. Society
Cowperwood stands against the mobilized populace and reformist press, embodying the conflict between corporate power and democratic will.
Characters to notice
- Frank A. Cowperwood
Central figure in the franchise battle; uses bribery and political influence to secure votes.
- Simon Pinski
Alderman facing intense public pressure and hostile questioning at a ward meeting.
- Schlumbohm
Alderman heckled and followed to the council door by three hundred citizens.
- Haeckelheimer
Part of the Eastern banking combine supporting Cowperwood's franchise scheme.
- Gotloeb
Associated with Haeckelheimer & Co. in backing Cowperwood's monopoly.
- Norman Schryhart
Newspaper owner opposing Cowperwood; his press denounces the franchise.
- Hosmer Hand
Former ally now part of the opposition press against Cowperwood.
Key passages
“A giant monopoly is really reaching out to enfold it with an octopus-like grip. And Cowperwood is its eyes, its tentacles, its force!”
A massive monopoly is tightening its hold on Chicago, with Cowperwood as its driving force.
Describes the perceived threat of Cowperwood's streetcar trust.
“He fixed on his price—twenty thousand dollars for each favorable vote, to begin with. Later, if necessary, he would raise it to twenty-five thousand, or even thirty thousand, making the total cost in the neighborhood of a million and a half.”
Cowperwood set a bribe of $20,000 per alderman, planning to increase it to $30,000 if needed, for a total cost of about $1.5 million.
Details the scale of bribery in the franchise scheme.
“The most searching and elaborate mathematical examinations were conducted with a view to showing the fabulous profits of the streetcar trust in future years.”
Detailed financial analyses were published to expose the enormous future profits of the streetcar monopoly.
Illustrates the press's efforts to sway public opinion against the franchise.
“Alderman Schlumbohm, heckled to within an inch of his life, followed to the council door by three hundred of his fellow-citizens, was there left with the admonition that they would be waiting for him when he should make his exit.”
Alderman Schlumbohm was harassed by a crowd of three hundred citizens who warned him they would be waiting after the council meeting.
Shows the intense public intimidation faced by aldermen.
