07x23 - The Statue

[bunniefuu]

As chairman, I first want
to extend the thanks

of this committee
to sheriff Taylor

for allowing us to use
his office

for our meeting today.

That's nothing.

As you probably know

the town hall is
almost completely occupied

by the women's
bridge club today

and, well, we certainly
don't want

to cross swords with them.

So we're better
off here.

Yeah, live
and let live.

Folks, in my opinion
today's meeting

of our civic improvement
committee

is likely to prove the most
important one we've ever had.

The decision of what to do
with the $ ,

in our treasury
is strictly up to us.

I didn't think
it was that much.

Whatever we
decide to do

it must appeal
to the taxpayers.

True. True.

Now, I'm sure we've
all had our thinking caps on.

The floor is open
to suggestions.

Miss Edwards.

Well, I've been thinking.

The bridge
over Parker creek...

It's on the main road
from Raleigh

and it's the first thing
that people see when they

approach Mayberry.

Now, my suggestion is

that we put
flower boxes

on the railings
of the bridge

planted with lovely flowers.

Good idea, Clara.

Yes.

Well, I was thinking

that we might rezone
that property

at the end of main street

for commercial stores
and develop it.

Opposed.

Opposed.

The minute you start increasing

the commercial zoning
in Mayberry

it'll be the beginning
of the end.

I don't understand, Floyd.

Would you mind giving us
the whole ball of wax?

Yeah, more commercial property
means more stores

and more confusion
and more traffic.

He has a point there.

Mm.

Folks, I've been

mulling something over

that I sincerely feel
has some real merit.

Now, we all know

that Mayberry is the
garden spot of the state.

Oh, yeah,
it's a garden spot.

But it suddenly occurred
to me the other day

that we don't
have a statue

here in town.

No, we don't.

Now, we may be small
population-wise

but we're a fine,
progressive community

and I think it would be
appropriate to commemorate

the person
most responsible for it

by erecting
a lifesized statue

to him outside
our town hall.

Mayberry's greatest
benefactor...

Whoever we decide that is.

I think that's
a wonderful idea.

Yes, it would be
an inspiration

for the children

and all the
future generations.

Howard, you're a genius.

Oh, well, it certainly
is gratifying

to get this response.

Now, now, the only question
to decide now

is whose statue will it be.

Well, if you're talking
about the person

who did the most
for this town

I think there's one name
that shines above all.

Absolutely.

The most illustrious name
in all Mayberry history...

Seth Taylor.

Well, yeah.

It couldn't be anybody else.

Aunt bee, Andy, I know
this kind of embarrasses you

but I sort of, kind of
had Seth Taylor in mind, too...

Your great-great-grandfather.

That's right.

I'm just speechless.

Well, if we're all in accord
on Seth Taylor, then...

I'm not.

Do you have
another suggestion, Floyd?

I certainly do
and not because he's my ancestor

but have we all forgotten

the contribution that
Daniel Lawson made to this town?

Well, no, Floyd, but...

Mayberry's first Indian agent.

We're aware
of that, Floyd.

He started his little trading
post right on this very ground

which grew to a township
of , people.

Well, that's true

of course.

Would I be making it up?

But Seth Taylor did more
to develop the town

as we know it today.

He built the
first sawmill

organized the first
chamber of commerce.

Gave some of his personal
land to the city.

Yes, he even loaned
the city money

during the crisis
of .

Why, everybody always
looked up to Seth Taylor.

With Seth,
it was Mayberry

first, last,
and always.

You seem to be the one
dissenting voice, Floyd.

On this committee
the majority rules, Floyd.

All right then,
it's decided.

We will erect a statue
of Seth Taylor

to be placed
outside the town hall.

Now I know how

George Washington's
family must have felt.

Now, I think
the next step is

to discuss a sculptor
for the statue.

And in that regard,
I've taken the Liberty

of speaking to our own
Brian Jackson, who,

as you all probably know,
has made over %

of the headstones used
in this community.

Has he ever made
a lifesized statue?

Well, no, no, he was frank
to say that he hasn't,

but he has made a few busts

and a countless number
of angels

and he'll do the job
for the $ , .

Provided that he can use
the block of granite

that he has in his yard
over there.

Is it a nice piece?

Oh, yes,
it's perfect.

Actually,
it's only ' ".

From your pictures
of him, Andy,

would you say that Seth
was on the short side?

No, no, he wasn't
a short man,

but I think we could
keep him at ' ",

if that's all the stone
Brian's got to work with.

Daniel Lawson
was a short man.

You wouldn't have to
fake it, with him.

Aunt bee, I think
it would be appropriate

to appoint you head
of the artistic committee.

You probably have pictures
of Seth, and everything,

and you could work
directly with Brian

on the pose for the statue
and all of that.

Well, I'll be
very happy to.

And I'll be very grateful
if you'd cochair

the committee
with me, Clara.

Oh, thank you, bee.
I'd love to.

Then it's settled, and I'm
sure we're all honored

to have had such
an outstanding man

who did so much
for Mayberry.

Let's hear it
for aunt bee and Andy.

Yay, aunt bee!
Yay, Andy!

Yoohoo, Mr. Jackson!

I'll be
right there.

Oh, he does lovely
work, doesn't he?

Oh, just beautiful.

How do you do, miss Edwards,
miss Taylor?

Mr. Jackson, we're
on the artistic committee

concerning the statue.

Ah, yes.

Mr. Sprague spoke
to me about it

said you'd be
dropping in.

You and your kinfolk
must be mighty proud.

Yes.

Well, we have some pictures
of Seth here.

Yes, a fine-looking man.

Isn't he?

I think
Andy's got his chin.

Oh, definitely.

And Opie certainly
has his eyes.

I think so.

You wi be able

to capture the character
in his face, won't you?

If you can capture it
with a chisel, I'll get it.

Because his sincerity
and his purposefulness

must shine through.

Got to shine through.

Now, about the pose.

How would you like
to have him?

Well, we had some thoughts
on that.

Perhaps something like this:

Hmm, might look
a little uppity

with his nose in
the air like that.

Maybe a more natural
and serene look.

Oh, I like that.

Gives him
kind of a human touch.

Good.

Now, I understand,
Mr. Jackson

you've never made
a lifesized statue before.

No. I nearly did, though.

I started one
of my wife once.

Oh?

Yes, you may remember

she ran off with
a traveling man.

Oh, you had our sympathy,
Mr. Jackson.

I was chiseling away on
her torso at the time

and I just naturally lost
interest in the project.

Of course.

Don't worry.

Everything's going
to turn out just fine.

Well, of course,
it will, Mr. Jackson.

See

it's just a matter of making
this little fella bigger.

Mm-hmm.

Leaving the wings off...

Uh-huh.

And putting some
clothes on him.

How's the speech coming?

Fine.

Now, how does this sound?

"His accomplishments
were legion.

His power and influence
was felt throughout the state."

That's a good beginning.

Hmm. I thought that had
a nice ring to it.

Gosh, it's hard to believe
we're going to see

the completed
statue tomorrow.

Yeah. How is it coming?

Well, the last time
I looked at it

he was working around the
shoulders, and I must admit

he has the suit
fitting beautifully.

Oh, good, good.

The committee's so anxious
to see it completed

and we invited
Cyrus tankersley, too.

Oh?

Well, we thought as head
of the chamber of commerce

he could approve of it
on behalf of the people.

Oh, yeah.
That's a good idea.

Good idea.

Well... I'll leave you alone
to do the speechmaking.

Hi, Floyd.

Andy.

It's a nice day.

It'll do.

You mind if
I, uh, sit down?

I don't care.

I suppose you heard

the whole committee's
going out

to see the statue tomorrow.

Yes, I heard.

You're coming,
aren't you?

No.

As you may be aware

the project doesn't have
my full support.

I know.

When Mayberry's
first Indian agent

has to take a back seat,
then it's time for a change.

Floyd, I didn't have
anything to do with this.

At any rate, tomorrow,
they're going to preview

Seth Taylor's statue.

It's magnificent.

Well, what do you
think, Cyrus?

Absolutely fabulous.

Brian, as head
of the chamber of commerce

congratulations from the people
of Mayberry.

Thank you.

We're not only proud
of the job you've done

we're also proud
of the man, Seth Taylor.

You're more than a
stonemason, Mr. Jackson.

You're an artist.

It turned out
real fine, Brian.

Thank you very much, Andy.

I did have a little trouble
with the shoulder blades.

I'm used to wings,
you know?

But I think it turned out
real fine.

When do you plan to take him
to the town square?

Well, the truck should be here
in about minutes.

Oh, well, then we'd
better all be going.

Would you mind if
Andy and I stayed?

Oh, not at all.

Not at all.

Yes, I think it would be
appropriate

if the family had
a few moments with him alone.

Just look at the way
he stands there...

Majestic.

You know, there's
something about the eyes.

He looks so righteous.

Yeah, it does
look real good.

Andy?

Hmm?

Oh, hi.

Oh, hi, Mr. Simmons.

Hello, Mr. Simmons.

We were just looking
at the statue of Seth Taylor.

You've heard about
it, of course.

Yes. Just this morning.
That's why I'm here.

Oh?

Well, you see, I...

Yes, Mr. Simmons?

Well, I wasn't going to
say anything, at first.

But, well...

Well, what is it,
Mr. Simmons?

Well, it just so happens
that Seth Taylor

and my great-great-grandfather
were pretty close friends.

Uh, Winston Simmons?

He was a pretty big
industrialist.

Well, I wasn't going to
say anything, but...

Well, if you've got
something to say,

I wish you'd
go ahead and say it.

Well, I have proof

that our two
illustrious ancestors

were two
of the biggest swindlers

that this part of the country
has ever known.

He was a swindler?

That's right, miss Taylor.

I can't believe it.

Well, it's the truth.

You're putting up a statue

to one of the biggest swindlers
of the th century.

Ohh...

Grandpa Seth,
say it isn't so.

Well...

It's all there.

Proof.

Oh, they had
a beautiful setup.

My great-great-grandfather,
with his political pull;

and yours, with the complete
trust of all the people...

They managed to
convince everyone

that the big
railroad terminal

was going to be
here in Mayberry.

And then with bribery
and political string pulling

they managed
some last-minute changes

and the main railroad was
built through mt. Pilot.

Well, they bought up land
here in Mayberry

and they sold it at inflated
prices when the people thought

that the railroad
was going to come through

and then they
grabbed up land

in mt. Pilot
for a song.

You see, they played both ends
against the middle

and wound up with a fortune.

Oh, it seems
hard to believe.

It sure does.

Well, like I said,
it's just between us.

I wouldn't
tell a soul

but I thought
you ought to know.

Well...

Well, uh...

Well, thank you.

You know, it's funny.

Here the town is
putting up a statue

to a man that it
thinks is a hero

when actually
he's the one

who swindled them
of their birthright.

So long, folks.

Yeah, uh, goodbye.

Well, what are
we going to do?

I don't know.

If we tell
the committee

it's going to be
all over town.

Yeah.

We-ve-we've got
to tell Howard.

Maybe he can think
of something.

Oh, if Seth had known

how humiliating
this was going to be

he never would
have done it.

Hey, Floyd.

Oh, hello, goober.

Well, I see they've got it
up there, all right.

Yeah, just finished it.

Sure going to look good
standing there, ain't it?

Goober, I am not the least
bit interested in it.

I'm just out here
getting a little sun.

You never give up, do you?

Well, how many
of your ancestors

were Indian agents

smoking peace pipes
with the Indians

clogging up their lungs?

Come on, Floyd.

Goober.

Andy, aunt bee.

Hello, goober.

Got your speech
all ready

for the unveiling
tomorrow?

Yes, goober,
I have.

You've got
the wrong man up there.

Come on.

Uh, aunt bee?

Aunt bee, don't
pay no attention

to what Floyd says.

Ain't never been
a better man

than Seth Taylor,
and everybody knows it.

We even studied about him in
school, Andy, remember?

Yes, he was revered,
wasn't he?

He was revered,
wasn't he, goober?

He sure was.

He was revered?

Let's go, aunt bee.

Excuse me.

Something fishy
going on here.

What are you talking
about, Floyd?

Something fishy.

Something fishy.

Andy, Andy.

Hey, Andy, we were just
on our way over to your office.

Yeah, we were just on
our way over to yours.

Bee, Andy, we've
just come up

with the most
wonderful news.

We even talked to Cyrus about
it, and he's all for it.

Oh?

We're going to declare
a Seth Taylor day

and celebrate it
every year.

Well, uh...

Yeah, a Seth Taylor day

will serve as an inspiration
to future generations...

Children and adults alike.

Well, I can see you're
both stunned by the news.

Guess I would be, too

if they were
putting up a statue

to one of my ancestors.

Uh...

Well, Howard...

Uh, yes, yes, we are.

We're stunned.

We're just overcome.

But I would like to talk
to Andy alone.

Would you pardon us?

We're not going to tell a soul
what Seth Taylor did.

We're going through with that
unveiling speech tomorrow.

We're...
We're going to what?

For no personal
motive, believe me,

but for the good
of the town.

Everyone has always
looked up to him.

What good would it do
to ruin his image?

Well...

Supposing somebody
unearthed something awful

about Abraham Lincoln
or George Washington?

Would it be right
to tell the people?

What purpose
would it serve,

to undermine the image
of a great man?

Well, none, I guess.

None.

We're going
through with

the unveiling speech
tomorrow, Andy.

It's the only thing
we can do.

Now, ladies and gentlemen,
it is a great honor to introduce

the lady who is going to make
the unveiling speech...

Miss bee Taylor.

Bee.

Friends, neighbors,
and fellow citizens of Mayberry,

I stand before you
in humble pride

as we pay homage to this...

Illustrious member
of my family.

We'll probably never know
all the things he did to...

For Mayberry.

A dedicated
and unselfish man

he worked long and hard hours

but all of his thoughts
and efforts

were to one purpose...

The betterment
of our fair city.

His achievements were legion.

His power was felt
throughout the entire state.

And yet he remained a simple...

And honest man.

Let me tell you some
of the things he did

to make Mayberry prosper.

First...

I can't go on.

I can't go on.

The man under...

Um...

Uh, ladies and
gentlemen, uh, f-folks

uh... I'm afraid
my aunt won't be able

to continue
with her speech.

If Cyrus tankersley
and the committee

would meet in my office,
uh... please.

So...

We got a $ , statue
and we can't use it.

Taxpayer's money.
Mighty serious.

Well, you can't blame
the committee, Cyrus.

They didn't know

what kind of man
Seth was till you did.

We knew the facts
about Daniel Lawson

but I was railroaded.

Could you use a better choice
of words, Floyd?

So, old Seth sold us
down the river.

You know, we
could have been

a big town
like mt. Pilot.

Yeah, instead
of a population of ,

we'd have been way up there
in the , s.

Could have had
big industries.

And lots
of business.

Well...

I'm sorry.

Wait a minute.

If Seth Taylor had let
the railroad terminal

come to Mayberry

we'd have been
like mt. Pilot.

With big highways.

And lots of action.

Like mt. Pilot,

with all that hustle and bustle
and noise and dirty air.

That's right.

That's so true.

We wouldn't be what we are
today, now would we, huh?

No, we wouldn't.

No.

A nice, clean community

tucked away
in our peaceful valley

where all our children
have good teeth.

He's right.

And you know something else?

If we was the size of mt. Pilot

we wouldn't have no big town
to go to on Saturday night.

We'd be in it.

You know,
it seems to me

that Seth Taylor

wasn't such a bad
fella after all.

Old Seth might have been
up to some hanky-panky

but he made us the
town we are today.

Right.

A good town,
a clean town

the garden city
of the state.

Hey, and you
know something?

On behalf of the people
of Mayberry

I say we all get
right back out there

and start that
unveiling over again.

I second that.

And so because
of the farsightedness

of Seth Taylor

in buying up property
in mt. Pilot

and selling it
to the railroad people,

he kept the iron horse
and its clamorous herd

from coming through Mayberry

and even though he suffered
the pangs

of making a few million or so
for his efforts...

We feel that his motives
were very good for all of us.

He wanted then, as now,
to keep Mayberry a lovely city

with gracious
and warm-hearted living.

Ladies and gentlemen,
I give you Seth Taylor.

Let's really hear it
for good old Seth Taylor.

And we certainly
appreciated the use

of miss Clara edmonds's home
for our last meeting of

the civic improvement
committee.

The brownies and hot chocolate
she served after the meeting

got a rousing
vote of approval.

And I think that concludes

the minutes
of our last meeting.

Oh, oh, one more thing...
Our finance chairman reported

that our civic improvement fund
is beginning to grow again

and we now have $ . .

Oh, boy!

Thank you, aunt bee.

And now, we'll turn
to new business,

if anyone has any.

Floyd.

When the fund builds up,
we're going to have to be

deciding what to do with it
and I've been thinking,

that statue of Seth Taylor,
he looks so lonesome,

standing there in
the town square all alone.

So let's put up
another statue to someone,

right next to him, someone
who, in the early days,

was loved
by the noble red man,

someone who worked hard
for the betterment of Mayberry.