Mr. Smith Goes To Washington Page #50

Boos commence, and we get glimpses of Saunders and the newsmen--

watching Jeff in this tight spot--and of Taylor and McGann,

with hope in their eyes. Then Senators pop up.

SENATOR:

Give up this disgraceful stand--and

quit the floor!

ANOTHER SENATOR:

The resolution to expel!

ANOTHER ONE:

Yield the floor!

PRESIDENT:

(pounding)

Please address the Chair--

Cries of "yield" as the gavel raps.

JEFFERSON:

(above the tumult)

Mr. President--the gentlemen want me

to yield! Well--I *would*, sir--on

one condition. These gentlemen won't

believe me--but the people of my

State will. I want to go back and

tell *them* this story. I want one

week--and until I get back here and

tell you what *they* say--and bring

you proof that I'm right--I want the

Senate's word that I won't be expelled

and that Deficiency Bill will not be

passed!

An uprising of men and gavel pounds.

SENATOR:

Will the Senator yield?

JEFFERSON:

(staunchly)

For a question!

SENATOR:

Has the gentleman the effrontery--

standing there convicted and in

disgrace--to try to force the

postponement of that bill--?

JEFFERSON:

For one week!

SENATOR:

Is he fully aware that this bill has

been months in both Houses--delayed

and delayed--millions will be without

food and shelter until its passage--

public works to relieve unemployment

will be at a standstill--government

agencies will be forced to suspend--

?

ANOTHER:

This is unthinkable and an outrage!

PRESIDENT:

Order!

JEFFERSON:

The outrage is Section Forty!

A SENATOR:

Mr. President! If the Senate yields

to this form of blackmail--from *this*

man--and *this* time--it will become

a laughing stock--

ANOTHER SENATOR:

Mr. President! It's an insult to

this body to be asked to listen. An

insult to our colleague, Senator

Paine. I, for one, will follow the

Senator's example and refuse to remain

in this Chamber as long as this man

holds the floor!

The Senator starts for the exit--many members, with cries of

agreement, rise and start to move with him. The gavel pounds.

PRESIDENT:

Gentlemen!

JEFFERSON is seen watching the member's progress toward the

exits. His attitude is grim and steadfast. After a moment,

he starts deliberately and calmly to pull small packages and

a thermos bottle out of his bulging pockets.

JEFFERSON:

(raising his voice)

Well then, sir--I guess I'll just

have to talk to the people of my

State from here.

In the Senate, the members continue out--and the gallery

leans over to see Jeff calmly continuing to take his packages

out.

JEFFERSON:

And I know *one* thing--wild horses

aren't going to drag me off this

floor till those people've heard

everything I've got to say. Not if

it takes all winter.

There is some applause in portions of the gallery, while we

get glimpses of departing Senators--of gallery characters--

of Saunders, thrilled, and excited--of Taylor and McGann,

who rise and start out. In the PRESS GALLERY, men go tumbling

up the stairs, and then break into the PRESS ROOM, shouting.

REPORTERS:

Filibuster!

Wow!

Filibuster!

In the CHAMBER, emptying of Senators, Jeff is finishing

arranging his desk and the President is pounding for order.

JEFFERSON:

Yes, sir. I'll go right on blasting

from here--and if I know those people--

when I'm through--they'll rear up

and kick Mister Taylor's machine to

kingdom come.

He looks up to SAUNDERS. She indicates the departing Senators,

and holds up the Senate Manual.

JEFFERSON, catching her signal, picks up the manual, and

looks at the empty chamber.

JEFFERSON:

Uh--Mr. President--you and I are

about to be alone in here, sir. I'm

not complaining for social reasons,

but it'd be a pity if the gentlemen

missed any of this.

(Then, referring to

his manual--in a

business-like tone)

Mr. President--I call the chair's

attention to Rule Five of the Standing

Rules of the Senate Section Three.

"If it shall be found that a quorum

is not present, a majority of the

Senators present--," and that begins

to look like me--"may direct the

Sergeant-at-arms to request, and if

necessary *compel* the attendance of

the absent Senators."

(Then-stoutly)

Mr. President--*I so direct*.

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