A scene from Mr. Smith Goes to Washington 1939
Jefferson Smith James Stewart

[after all the other Senators walk out]

Oh, Mr. President, we seem to be alone. I, I'm not complaining for a social reason; it's just, I think it'd be a pity if these gentlemen missed any of this, and...

[Clarissa starts waving from the visitors gallery, and making hand signals]

And, uh...

[he grabs the rule book]

I, I call the chair's attention to... to, uh... Rule 5 of the Standing Rules of the Senate, Section... Section 3. "If it shall be found that a quorum is not present, a majority of the Senators present" - and that looks like me - uh, uh, "may direct the Sergeant-at-Arms to request, and if necessary compel, the attendance of the absent Senators." Well, Mr. President, I so direct.

More from Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Jefferson Smith Dad always used to say the only causes worth fighting for were the lost causes.
The origin of this quote is Ethel Lina White's The Wheel Spins, published in 1936. Jefferson Smith The people of my state need permanent relief from crooked men riding their backs. Jefferson Smith I wouldn't give you two cents for all your fancy rules if, behind them, they didn't have a little bit of plain, ordinary, everyday kindness and a little looking out for the other fella, too.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) poster
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington 1939 · 36 quotes · 4 characters All Mr. Smith Goes to Washington quotes →
All Mr. Smith Goes to Washington quotes →