The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-05-15
Again, the Sutton Case.


Congress has been asked to appropriate
5000 to conduct another investigation
of the causes Of, and the circumstances
attending, the death Of the late Lieut..
James n. sutton, of the Marine Corps.
That officer met his death on the Naval
Academy grounds a couple of years ago
under mysterious conditions An investi-
cation was conducted at the instance of
the Navy Department, but the findings
of the board or court ON that occasion
divulged nothing as to who was respon-
sible for the death of sutton. That in
vestigation appears to have been defec-
tive in that il was one of those purely
perfunctory incidents, inviting the sus-
picion that its chief purpose was 20 re-
train from mpartiug information. A
court of inquiry followed, which was
more thorough, and the dead officer 5
relatives employed an attorney 10 assist
in bringing out the facts The conduct
OF the court was impartial and consci-
enuous While nothing of a startling
character was divulged, it was quite
evident that there was need Of discipIin-
lry measures relating to the marine Off
GERS under instruction at Annapolis. and
who We're attached to what is known as
the school Of application. tucn located al
that place.
The latest phase which contemplates
Congressional investigation. will cost the
government $1,000 if Congress approves
he BIN now pending before the House
Naval Committee. which has called
on the Navy Department FOR a digest
u the previous Investigations. It ought
20 be possible 10 determine whether
any such expense is Justified and whether
IL viii accomplish any good purpose,
either IN the way of bringing 10 punish
ment any one who was responsible for
Suttons death or as vindication Of
that officer. who was originally reported
10 having committed suicide That sus-
pciOn was removed 10y .he findings OF
the naval court OF inquiry, and unless
it shall Zoe found that there is necessity
for this belated Congressional investiga-
ton, IL does not seem as if the govern
nent should be required to go 10 the
Expense Of $4,000 to ascertain facts which
nave not hitherto been obtainsble.
The Navy Department may very proper
ly take the position that the processes
4 has hitherto employed have furnished
all the useful information it is possible
20 derive from any source The friends
and relatives of Sutton ought TO be salts
led with the determination that ne did
not commit suicide. Ii is a question,
therefore, whether anything further can
be ascertained by means of a special
Congressional committee. II there is
chance Of this, the House Naval Com
nittee ought 90 be I'M the best possible
position 10 decide upon the efficacy Of
he proceeding It is well that there has
been no hasty action in this matter
merely TO satisfy the perhaps natural
dissatisfaction of Suttons friends with
he results Of the previous inquiries. The
question is one which may be looked at
n an impartial way. Influenced by the
recommendations Of the Navy Depart
uent. and whatever the House Naval
Committee finally decides should be ac-
cepted by the country as entirely in the
Interest Of justice. with no suspicion that
either Congress or the Navy Department
is engaged I'm protecting those who de-
serve punishment or in refusing to DO
'ull justice 10 a grievous situation. at
whatever cost in the way of an embar-
-asSing disclosure