The Washington times., 1909-09-15
CONGRESS TO PROBE
DEATH OF SUTTON
Representative Good of Iowa
Will Introduce ReSo-
luton.

Following the exhumation Of the re-
mains OF Lieut.. James y. Sutton, United
States Marine Corps, and the autopsy on
them, il is learned that the attention
Of Congress viii be called to the now
famous case next winter.
sutton was killed almost two years
ago. and until his mother forced the re-
cent investigation. was set down as a
suicide.
It now develops that at the opening
Of the Congress session in December
Representative Good of Iowa win intro
duce a resolution calling on the Naval
Affairs Committee To investigate and
report on the whole case. the circum-
stances Of Sutton's death, the condi-
tons at Annapolis at the time IL took
place. and the conduct of the court
martial which recently examined into
the affair. and found no reason to
change the former verdict os death by
suicide.
Mr. Good became greatly interested in
the case during the court martial in
quiry. and convinced himself that young
Sutton did not take his own life He
became convinced. also. long before the
COurt-martial had completed its work,
that its verdict would sustain the suicide
theory, and determined if 1t did so ne
would undertake 70 obtain a Congress
sional inquiry. When the decision of
the Court-martial proved to be Just what
he had expected. Mr Good declared his
purpose. unless somebody else should
take the action ahead Of him. TO intro
duce a resolution for investigation by
some proper committee OF Congress.
Mrs sutton has indicated her deter
mination TO have the death of her son
further investigated before the civil
courCs OF Maryland. II possible; and
with this in prospect. together with the
strong probability that the House will
pass the Good resolution and order a
committee probe. there is every indica-
ton re case Will continue 10 demand
made some inquiry before Congress ad-
9ourned and convinced himself that such
a resolution as he proposed would pass
without serious opposition.
Members Interested.
More than one member of Congress.
Mrs. Sutton said today. had signified
their interest, either directly or Indirect
~. in a further probe Of the Annapolis
tragedy. In event a Congressional in
vestigatiOn. rather than the civil courts.
should be decided upon as presenting
the best opportunities for the clearing
of Lieutenant Sutton's name. II is un-
derstood the first thing urged by those
representing the Sutton cause will be
night campus fight be dismissed from
the service
In the upper body. so the mother said
today. she can count upon the active
support OF Senator Bourne. who OBJ
tanned the naval rehearing, and of Sena-
tor-elect Chamberlain. both Of oregon.
Il had heard Representative Good had
become convinced a Congressional in
vestigation should be had. said Mrs
Sutton this afternoon Personally.
Representative Good IS unknown 70 me,
and ] have not sought any favors Al
his hands His decision is reached. as I
understand IL, from reading the evidence
at the naval hearing.
Senator Makes Offer.
Il have had assurances. however, from
several members OF the House that they
would support a movement 10 investi-
gate the causes OF my sons death. de-
spite the fact that the Navy Department
says he committed suicide. 4 Senator,
not from my own State. offered u
handle the case for me originally.
My prayers Of twenty-three months
were answered when my sons body was
exhumed Monday and 1 gazed upon his
body. I had always prayed that his
features might be in such state of
preservation that I might see exactly
the. bruises upon his face and forehead.
the large, red brUise over his forehead
appeared as natural as though it were
upon the face Of the living
Il have not yet received the full au-
topsy report from my surgeon, DR.
Vaughan. Regardless OF what II NAV
be, however, l may say that our plans
for a continuation Of the fight were
made as soon as the inquiry at Annapo-
lis closed Mr.. Davis, OF my counsel
VIII be IN position 70 make them public
Nfnrr
suTed that no matter what the means
i cannot rest content until I see those
believe responsible for my sons death
punished. Not until these men are
forced out OF the service and otherwise
punished in some manner will my sons
name be absolutely vindicated I am
still gathering evidence. The end is not
yet
Vaughan Prepares Report.
DR.. Vaughan. one Of the three sur
BeOns who performed the autopsy upon
Lieutenant Sutton's disinterred body at
Arlington, Cemetery, may have mis-
formal report ready during the day. II
viii set forth the facts published i'm
The Times yesterday. as announced by
DR.. Vaughan verbally. that the autopsy
revealed a large bruise over the right
eye. another bruise under the left Jaw.
a clean-Cut bullet wound in the skull.
and no evidence Of powder stains.
w boHSo "SlN ADAllu Diphen IN tne
arms. The mother viii carefully guard
as future evidence the autopsy report
as 10 the clean-cUt bullet wound and -he
absence Of powder marks. this indi-
eating, 20 her mind. that 81 was impOs-
sible for the gun inflictinE 1t 20 have
been held In the dead mans own hand
and at range Of not exceeding three
inches.
The manager of a fur
niture factory saws that