Mr. Smith Goes to Washington Quote
[ the filibuster begins ]
President of Senate : The Chair recognizes... Senator Smith!
Jefferson Smith : Thank you, sir.
Clarissa Saunders : Diz, here we go.
Jefferson Smith : Well, I guess the gentlemen are in a pretty tall hurry to get me out of here. The way the evidence has piled up against me, I can't say I blame them much. And I'm quite willing to go, sir, when they vote it that way - but before that happens I've got a few things I want to say to this body. I tried to say them once before, and I got stopped colder than a mackerel. Well, I'd like to get them said this time, sir. And as a matter of fact, I'm not going to leave this body until I do get them said.
Senator Joseph Paine : Mr. President, will the Senator yield?
President of Senate : Will the Senator yield?
Jefferson Smith : No, sir, I'm afraid not, no sir. I yielded the floor once before, if you can remember, and I was practically never heard of again. No sir. And we might as well all get together on this yielding business right off the bat, now. [ laughter from the gallery ]
Jefferson Smith : Now, I had some pretty good coaching last night, and I find that if I yield only for a question or a point of order or a personal privilege, that I can hold this floor almost until doomsday. In other words, I've got a piece to speak, and blow hot or cold, I'm going to speak it.
Senator Joseph Paine : Will the Senator yield?
President of Senate : Will Senator Smith yield?
Jefferson Smith : Yield how, sir?
Senator Joseph Paine : Will he yield for a question?
Jefferson Smith : For a question, all right.
President of Senate : The Chair recognizes... Senator Smith!
Jefferson Smith : Thank you, sir.
Clarissa Saunders : Diz, here we go.
Jefferson Smith : Well, I guess the gentlemen are in a pretty tall hurry to get me out of here. The way the evidence has piled up against me, I can't say I blame them much. And I'm quite willing to go, sir, when they vote it that way - but before that happens I've got a few things I want to say to this body. I tried to say them once before, and I got stopped colder than a mackerel. Well, I'd like to get them said this time, sir. And as a matter of fact, I'm not going to leave this body until I do get them said.
Senator Joseph Paine : Mr. President, will the Senator yield?
President of Senate : Will the Senator yield?
Jefferson Smith : No, sir, I'm afraid not, no sir. I yielded the floor once before, if you can remember, and I was practically never heard of again. No sir. And we might as well all get together on this yielding business right off the bat, now. [ laughter from the gallery ]
Jefferson Smith : Now, I had some pretty good coaching last night, and I find that if I yield only for a question or a point of order or a personal privilege, that I can hold this floor almost until doomsday. In other words, I've got a piece to speak, and blow hot or cold, I'm going to speak it.
Senator Joseph Paine : Will the Senator yield?
President of Senate : Will Senator Smith yield?
Jefferson Smith : Yield how, sir?
Senator Joseph Paine : Will he yield for a question?
Jefferson Smith : For a question, all right.
Movie: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
