William Powell credited as playing...
Senator Melvin G. Ashton
- Senator Melvin G. Ashton: [to Houlihan] Owning a nice little diary is like owning a nice little atom bomb. Even if you never do anything with it, it's a comfort to know it's there.
- Senator Melvin G. Ashton: There's one thing you can't say about me, Fred, I have never put one man or woman on the public payroll who was not my own blood kin-or Mrs. Ashton's, anyway.
- Houlihan: Must be something you can do, Mel. Haven't you any talents at all?
- Senator Melvin G. Ashton: I have many talents, but uh, not definitely.
- [Cronies ask questions]
- Frank: Ain't you even a lawyer?
- Senator Melvin G. Ashton: I am not a lawyer.
- Politico: Can you type?
- Senator Melvin G. Ashton: Not with both hands.
- Houlihan: Give us some kind of clue, Mel. What can you do?
- Senator Melvin G. Ashton: Be a senator.
- Houlihan: The party needs ya, Mel. We can win with ya now, with that book back.
- Senator Melvin G. Ashton: Hmmm, You know I was just wondering. Do they give you that $75,000 right away or do you have to wait until the end of the year?
- Senator Melvin G. Ashton: I'm sorry, mama. But they say it's quite an attractive little island, mama. Plenty of grapefruit and coconuts, and a lovely little white house for us.
- Mrs. Ashton (Cameo Appearance): A little white house isn't exactly what you promised me, darling. But still...
- Waiter: Vodka, I take, is not good enough for you?
- Senator Melvin G. Ashton: Is that fellow radical?
- Lew Gibson: No, no. He just likes vodka.
- Houlihan: And another thing. What's the big idea of telling those reporters you're not a candidate for the nomination?
- Senator Melvin G. Ashton: Because I'm not.
- Houlihan: Then stop denying it. No member of the party has a right to deny that he's a candidate unless he is a candidate.
- Senator Melvin G. Ashton: [On the telephone with Mrs. Ashton] Hello! Hello, mama. How's everything? Uh, mama, I'm an Indian now. Yes, it was wonderful. You'll see it in the pictures. I come out and I say, 'How!'
- Senator Melvin G. Ashton: This is no time for emotionalism, but rather for a serious searching of the heart. As you all know, I am a simple, plain talking man, with no taste for evasion and no talent for fancy words. So, I am going to be open and above board with you, as I have always been. Ladies and Gentlemen, I cannot put this too strongly - I am not a candidate for the presidency... But... there are times when decisions of this sort are no longer a matter of individual...
- Senator Melvin G. Ashton: I say, 'No!' and again, 'No!' I will not raise one finger to obtain this greatest gift within the power of a grateful republic, this brightest jewel in the diadem of mankind. But, if the voice of the people of these United States - if that voice should ring out over the land, and say to me, 'Come!' - then I can only bow my head and say in all humility, 'I will.'
- Senator Melvin G. Ashton: Well, I've got a bigger family than all the rest of those jokers put together. Three fine sons and four beautiful daughters.
- Houlihan: You mean you have seven secretaries?
- Senator Melvin G. Ashton: Well, why not? Senator Arb... has 36.
- Senator Melvin G. Ashton: There's one thing you can't say about me, Fred. I have never put one man or one woman on the public payroll who was not my own blood kin... or Mrs. Ashton's, anyway.
- Senator Melvin G. Ashton: [Speaking at a Labor Temple] But why stop at a five-day week for seven days' pay? This is a rich country. Why not a three-day week and for eight days pay?
- Senator Melvin G. Ashton: [Speaking at the Bankers Club] Strictly between ourselves, gentlemen. The time has come for management to take a firm stand. Now, in the Ashton labor control bill, I propose an eight-day week for a two-day pay.
- Waiter: I heard your speeches over the radio, Sen. Ashton.
- Senator Melvin G. Ashton: Ah, did you really?
- Waiter: Not one word in defense of poor little Yugoslavia.
- Senator Melvin G. Ashton: Do Indians vote in this country?
- Lew Gibson: Yes
- Senator Melvin G. Ashton: Help yourselves, fellas. Take all you want.
- [Rodeo Indians help themselves to the fruit basket]
- Senator Melvin G. Ashton: The McCoy-Keith-Ashton bill is designed for the protection of man's most faithful servant - the letter carrier.
- Senator Melvin G. Ashton: I propose a $5,000 bonus to every man, woman and child in the country who did not go to war.