Capitol Journal - "Four Little Pages"
Capitol Journal - "Four Little Pages"
U.S. House Representative Jerry Lewis (R-CA) standing at dais of Congressional Committee Room, Rep. Lindy Boggs (D-LA) seated next to him. Adult Caucasian man enters, talks with Rep. Lewis. Rep. Lewis introduces musical program honoring bicentennial anniversary of U.S. Constitution, introduces U.S. Rep. Lindy Boggs (D-LA); adult Caucasian men and women sitting in FG.
Capitol Journal - "Four Little Pages"
U.S. House Representative Lindy Boggs (D-LA) thanks sponsors, attendees, Rep. Jerry Lewisl mentions she represents the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, head of the Bicentennial Commission, and 23 committee members of the U.S. Commission on the Bicentennial of the Constitution. Rep. Boggs names some Commission members before talking about committee activities honoring the 200 year anniversaries of the Constitution and subsequent anniversary of the formation of the U.S. government and Congress. She thanks both private and public donations, and the help of the National Park Service in facilitating the upcoming celebrations. Adult Caucasian men and women in attendance in FG.
Capitol Journal - "Four Little Pages"
U.S. House Representative Lindy Boggs (D-LA) recounts the story of Benjamin Franklin, who, after a long summer which ended in the creation of the United States Constitution, encounters a Philadelphia woman asking what kind of government has been created. Dr. Franklin replied, "A republic, if you can keep it." Rep. Boggs announces a joint house plan to reassemble in Philadelphia on July 16th, 1987, to celebrate the great Connecticut Compromise, which created the bi-cameral legislative body. She hopes both houses of Congress will approve the plan, introduces Ben Franklin and singing troupe who will perform "Four Little Pages," a musical skit on the Constitutional Convention; adult Caucasian men and women in FG applaud.
Capitol Journal - "Four Little Pages"
Voice of actor portraying Benjamin Franklin (off-screen), adult Caucasian men and women in audience in FG; U.S. House Representative Lindy Boggs (D-LA) walks from dais. Franklin enters frame complaining about not being left alone. Adult Caucasian male singing troupe enter, calling for his help, distracted briefly by audience and their odd, modern clothes. Troupe asks Franklin to help with the Articles of Confederation, as it's too weak. Each of the men complain about the power of the government and lack of leadership. One man suggests putting a king in place; he is rebuked.
Capitol Journal - "Four Little Pages"
Benjamin Franklin tells adult Caucasian male musical troupe that they have a Congress to make war. The men think Congress is "like a dog with no teeth." They want a stronger government and claim the Articles of Confederation don't work. The troupe breaks into song about the problems between each state and the overall weakness of the Confederation; adult Caucasian men and women seated in FG, applaud at song's end.
Capitol Journal - "Four Little Pages"
Benjamin Franklin states a "firm league of friendship" was stated in the Articles of Confederation, but by 1781 it was cooling fast. Adult Caucasian male singing troupe agree, are about to break out into song before Franklin interrupts to state the problem of the Articles was the loose association of the states bound by no central authority. The troupe says that each state had their own currency and no state could agree on the worth of another's dollar. Franklin acknowledges the problems, states there must be a solution. Troupe agrees and that Franklin should be a part of that solution at a new convention being held in Philadelphia. They run off to get a delegate badge and some traveling money while Franklin stays and provides background information to adult Caucasian men and women in audience. Franklin explains how the convention is coming together while adult Caucasian man enters and stands silently next to him. Franklin asks him what he's doing; man says he is waiting for Franklin to finish talking so he can play the part of Alexander Hamilton. Franklin says, "Be my guest," and cedes the floor to Hamilton.
Capitol Journal - "Four Little Pages"
Alexander Hamilton calls for delegates convening in Philadelphia to discuss creating a Constitution adequate to the needs of the Union, reads message from different parts of a tricorn colonial hat. Music troupe of adult Caucasian men re-enter, bickering with each other as states. Ben Franklin gives background information on how the 55 delegates arrived at the Philadelphia convention, many of them were governors, signers of the Declaration of Independence, slave-owners, congressmen, and lawyers. One troupe member asks Franklin to name those who weren't there; Franklin names groups of people such women and freed African-Americans, as well as John Adams (in London), Thomas Jefferson (in Paris), and Patrick Henry (in protest).
Capitol Journal - "Four Little Pages"
Music troupe of four adult Caucasian men perform song about James Madison and Virginia Plan, which devolves into each delegate putting forth their conflicting ideas. Final act of song goes into the warring factions going at each other through the night until an accord knows as the Great Compromise was struck at dawn; adult Caucasian men and women applaud in FG.
Capitol Journal - "Four Little Pages"
Actor portraying Benjamin Franklin states the debates and issues brought to light at the convention in Philadelphia presented many challenges. Adult Caucasian male members of music troupe list off the issues: equal representation for small states, representation by population, slavery, Presidential terms, how legislators would be elected, who could vote, etc. Troupe gets frustrated with the issues, decides to call a stalemate, and go home. Adult Caucasian men and women watch show in FG.
Capitol Journal - "Four Little Pages"
Actor portraying Benjamin Franklin tells adult Caucasian male members of music troupe that a representative from each state was elected to stay and hash out further issues at Philadelphia convention. The troupe in jest wonder who represented Pennsylvania. Franklin and the twelve other delegates came together to hash out a Great Compromise. The troupe erupt in joy, but Franklin tempers them. The basis of American democracy was beginning to form but months of hard work at the Philadelphia State House remained before the Constitution was created. Franklin talks about the arguments, debates, ideas, and issues debated, discarded, and implemented during a grueling summer before the Constitution was done; troupe sighs in relief. Adult Caucasian men and women watch show in FG.
Capitol Journal - "Four Little Pages"
Adult Caucasian male members of music troupe describe the newly-formed Constitution and its contents, one quoting George Washington, who presided over the delegates, but rarely gave input: "The Constitution that is submitted is not free from imperfections, but there are as few radical defects in it as could well be expected. I think it would be wise in the people to accept what is offered them." Another troupe member mentions Alexander Hamilton encouraging document acceptance by saying: "No man's views are more remote from this document than mine were known to be, but it is possible to deliberate between anarchy and convulsion on one side, and the chance of good to be expected from the plan on the other?" Benjamin Franklin delivers his quote on the Constitution, which came after staring at a carving of the sun on George Washington's chair: "Throughout history, artists have found it difficult in their art to distinguish between a rising and a setting sun. Now, I have long at the length of the session looked at that, and I have the happiness to know that it is a rising, and not a setting sun." Troupe explains the document was signed and sent to the states for ratification. Adult Caucasian men and women watching show in FG.
Capitol Journal - "Four Little Pages"
Adult Caucasian male music troupe sing about the formation of the U.S. Constitution ("Four Little Pages") while actor portraying Benjamin Franklin remarks the unforeseen longevity of the document, its strength in its ability to be changed; the brittle document has weathered many storms and come out all the stronger through each trial. Adult Caucasian men and women in audience watch show from FG.
Capitol Journal - "Four Little Pages"
Actor portraying Benjamin Franklin remarks upon the longevity of the U.S. Constitution and democracy in the United States. Adult Caucasian male music troupe sing the preamble of the Constitution twice. Adult Caucasian men and women in audience, applauding show; troupe and Franklin take a few bows before leaving.
Capitol Journal - "Four Little Pages"
U.S. House Representative Lindy Boggs (D-LA) returns to dais, thanks everyone, and looks forward to more of the same all the way through 1987. She invites everyone in the audience to a reception in the Raymond foyer. Adult Caucasian men and women get up from their seats.