A Member of the Third House

A Member of the Third House is an 1897 novel by American author Hamlin Garland. The story takes place at the turn of the 20th century in New England. The story revolves around a local politician and his conquest to destroy a railroad monopoly. Plot summary In a New England metropolis, local politician Wilson Tuttle has a brief conversation with a Mr. Holbrook regarding the Consolidated Railway, which is attempting to secure a charter to become a monopoly. The Consolidated Railway has been using a corrupt political group called the Third House to gain political support. Following his meeting with Holbrook, Tuttle accompanies senator's daughter Evelyn Ward and Helene Davis, the daughter of the president of Consolidated Railway, for some ice cream. At the office of Tom Brennan and Samuel Fox, two legislators arrive for a meeting. Brennan gains their political support through the means of a bribe. Evelyn and Helene stop by and ask Brennan what he knows about the Third House. Later that afternoon, Lawrence Davis and Samuel Fox discuss the recent state of their company and the problematic activities of Tuttle. Knowing that Tuttle cannot be fixed like many other politicians, they realize their charter must be passed before Tuttle passes his bill to open an investigation into Continental's activities.