Sutton May Be Removed

Sutton May Be Removed

From the Board of Regents if Perjury is Proven

Hon. A. J. Sawyer

Says He is Surprised That Sutton Should Have Remained on Board so Long

The disbarment proceedings brought in the supreme court at Lansing Tuesday against C. N. Roos, attorney for the Henderson-Ames Co., in the famous military board deal, has again brought Eli A. Sutton, a member of the board of regents of the University to the front. On the trial, it will be remembered that Sutton was acquitted, but there is some talk now of trying to prove Sutton guilty of perjury. In that case he will probably be dismissed from the office of regent.

"I would not have supposed Mr. Sutton would have remained on the board of regents in view of his alleged connection with the scandal, had there been any truth in the charge," said the Hon. Andrew J. Sawyer. "But it seems that there is no power vested in the board of regents to dispense with the services of one of their number.

"You see the office of regent is wholly a constitutional one. It is above the legislature and there is no power to remove a regent for any crime committed previous to taking office."

"How about a crime being committed by a regent after he takes office?" was asked.

"Then, of course," replied Mr. Sawyer, "he would no doubt be removed under the clause of the constitution which reserves the right to impeach public officers who are found guilty of high crimes."

"It is said that Mr. Sutton may be charged with perjury," suggested the reporter.

"Well, in that case there is no doubt in my mind whatever but what he would have to relinquish. the office," said the attorney.

"At the joint constitutional debate," continued Mr. Sawyer, "it was of course supposed that none but men of the highest character would be put up for the office of regent. That is easily seen when one reads the reports of the debate. As a consequence the office was created on an equality with the judges of the courts and it was the intention of its creators that it should be entirely free from politics. What the outcome of this review of the alleged military board steal, in regards to Sutton will be I would not like to say, but I am thoroughly assured that if he is proven guilty of perjury, he will have to get off the board of regents or be removed."