Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-07
Mrs. Sutton Will Withdraw
Nothing in Her Letters

ANNAPOLIS. Md, August THE court
Of inquiry into the death of Lieut. James
N Sutton, us NJ. c., resumed session
behind closed doors this morning for the
purpose of considering the letters OF Mrs
Sutton in the judge advocates possession
understood to have bearing on the SUIT
ton case. and said to contain definite
accusations against certain officers who
were near at the time of Suttons death.
Mrs. Sutton did not Immediately take
the stand Considerable time was con-
sumed first in a personal argument be-
tween Judge Advocate Leonard and At
torney Davis
Maj. Leonard, when the minutes of the
proceedings OF yesterday were offered to
the court. demanded that remarks made
about him by Mr.. Davis be expunged.
Mr. Davis who had bitterly attacked the
Judge advocate at the close OF yesterdays
session for dragging in Mrs. Sutton's
letters, maintained today he had said
nothing beyond propriety.
Davis and Leonard Clash.
The argument centered about Mr..
Davis charge of bad faith in insisting
on offering the Sutton letters. 1t con-
sumed nearly an hour. At its close the
court reserved decision for the time be-
ing.
Maj. Leonard was angry this morning
over the publication of part of alleged
letters of Mrs. Sutton in "a New York
morning newspaper. He made a state
ment. averring that the letter as pub
lished was not one in his collection, and
he had no intention of offering in evil
dence any such letter as the one de-
scribed.
The court did not reach the reading of
Mrs Sutton's letters until II o'clock.
II seemed likely then that the session
time with Mrs. Sutton's statements and
the questioning of Mrs. Sutton by the
Judge advocate and counsel for the de-
PENDANTS. One letter of those offered
by Mai Leonard contained twenty four
pages, it was said, and was read aloud
in its entirety.
Mrs. Sutton appeared perfectly COM
posed and much refreshed by the night
respite when she entered court this morn
ing to undergo the ordeal of examina
OF yesterday had disappeared.
The court finally announced its ruling
regarding Mr.. Davis attack on Maj
Leonard that it should be allowed to
the court found. whatever their intima-
tons. contained no formal accusation of
bad faith. ~
Leonard Duty to Court Alone.
Mr. Davis accusation" commented
Maj. Leonard, lis unfair and injurious, in
that I am under no obligations of faith
to any one. and my duty lies solely to-
ward the court"
II will not reply" retorted Mr.. Davis.
ito a man that finds he owes me no obli-
cation of good faith
The court adjourned at II 80 o'clock UNI
til Monday.
Mrs Sutton expressed her dissatisfac-
ton with the courts proceedings, when
seen after the end of the courts session.
IF my letters are to be brought in
evidence" she said, 81 want them to be
made public. / would also prefer that
when i am examined as to their con-
tents the examination should be pub
lie one.
There may be some startling things in
my letters. but I am ready to stand by
what have written. You can say that
this move of closing the courtroom for
my examination does not come from our
side.
II mean to do all in my power to have
the court hold an open session Monday.
If 1 do not succeed it will not be my
fault. 1t is my wish to have every one
know just how Lieut.. Sutton's family
stand in this case"
At Mr.. Davis demand 1t was later
promised by Commander HOOD so Mr.
Davis said after adjournment. that open
court would be held Monday.