A Member Of The Third House (e-book) (used book) | bookbook.eu

Description

The story begins in a New England metropolis. Two men are engaged in a conversation involving politics. Wilson Tuttle is a local politician who has just submitted a bill to charge an annual rent for street franchises. He has also carried a resolution to have the methods of the Consolidated Railway investigated. The Consolidated Railway owns railways in multiple cities throughout New England. The company is attempting to secure a charter to become a monopoly. The Consolidated Railway has been using the Third House to gain political support. A corrupt political group, the Third House exists between the people and the legislation. The members' support is purchased through bribes. Following his brief conversation with Mr. Holbrook, Mr. Tuttle accompanies Evelyn Ward and Helene Davis for some ice cream. Evelyn is the daughter of Senator Rufus Ward, and Helene is the daughter of Lawrence Davis, the president of Consolidated Railway. Lawrence Davis, commonly referred to as the Iron Duke, is in charge of the Third House trustees of the road. His cohorts consist of lobbyist Tom Brennan and attorney Samuel Fox. At the office of Tom Brennan and Samuel Fox, two legislators arrive for a meeting. Mr. Brennan supplies the two men food and liquor. He desires to gain their political support through the means of a bribe. His efforts are fruitful and he instructs the men to pay their money to Hilliard's, a local bar acting as home base for the Third House. Following the departure of the two legislators, Evelyn and Helene stop by to say hello to Brennan. After hearing Tuttle discuss the Third House, the women ask Brennan what he knows. He vaguely answers the question and Helene tells him how much her father praises his work. Brennan goes on to explain his thirst for power. He compares controlling the railways to controlling an army. Brennan also expresses his desire to become the superintendent of Consolidated Railways...........

Excerpt:
A Dramatic Story
It was a phenomenally hot day in June. The city pulsed with a suffocating- heat like a kiln for steaming wood. The air was filled with moisture, and seemed momentarily on the point of precipitating rain, while the sun burned down from the cobalt-blue sky with terrific splendor. Heavy clouds drove in like great ships from the sea and fell in brief, heavy down-dropping showers, exactly as if a valve had been opened and shut. Then the sun burst out again, and from the hissing pavements a gray, suffocating steam arose in the faces of the hastening throngs of men.
These moments were terrifying, and in every doorway portly men could be seen standing with bared heads, panting with sudden weakness and vertigo, their faces vermilion with the rush of blood.