Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1858-07-10
OLD SERIES, VOL Is. NO. p
pected from his ability, industry and loga!

pectod from his ability, industry and loga!
knowledge.
In lS49 the Trustees Of the late Bank o!
the United States, selected him as their
counsel So,ns Of bis opponents, we see
abuse him as Solicitor Of the Bank. This
was to. so. He was counsel of the Trustees
| who were hostile to the former managers Of
the Bank, aud were engaged in suits against
| many of them. This appointment, which
brought him in contact With lawyers ID nearly
every county in the United States and many
of the cities af Europe added to bis practice.
Several hundred thousand dollars were thus
| collected and in the end the notes and depoT
sits, Of the Bank were paid in full. principal
| and interest "a result at first wholly unex-
peeted) and the remainder of the assets were
| distributed among the other claimants.
In 1856, when the finances Of philadelphia
had been greatly reduced, and vigorous eff
| fort to overthrow the dominant party, had
been detnrrhined on, Mr.. Porter was selected
as the Democratic candidate for city Solc-
tor. add the ticket vas elected by large ma
| jority.
His skillful, energetic and Independent
| course in that Office, is well known His let.
ter to councils, composed Of the majority OF
his own party, in which be refused to interfere
| at their request III case pending in Court;
all parties.
When Judge Knox resigned from tho
Bench Of the Supreme Court, Governor Pack
er, in accordance with the wishes OF the par
ty throughot the State, appointed Mr.. For;
ter to his present position ana the conven-
tion whic b assembled at Harrisburg on 4tE
OF March last, confirmed this selection by ar
almost unanimous vote.
Such has been his poli.ca! and professional
course. His life has not, however, been Who'll
ly devoted to his professional occup ltions-
At college be exhibited much literary taste:
His address before our literary societies, ir
1843, was highly instructive. we remember
also his delivering an address before the Law
Academy Of Philadelphia, of which he was
one OF the Provosts, but the subject has es-
capped us. His most successful publication
is his work on the character OF Judge Gibson,
who, it seems from the preface showed hiui
much kindness in early life. This work was
extensively noticed by the reviews through.
out the country, and had rapid sale.
He has been engaged in other labor3 some
what peculiar for lawyer. lie was for sew.
eral years one Of the Managers of the Ameri.
can Sunday School Union and member o!
the committee Of publication. In this capa
city lie selected, supervised or assisted in the
publication Of some of the important treaties
| Dg WHICH HtNt "a
erted so much influence on the minds of the
young thtohghout the country.
In private lite the character Of Judge Por
ter is without blot. lii his department and
disposition he Is fratk, and cordial. In pri
vate charity he is liberal to fault. AS or.
advocate he WIS exceedingly clear and forci-
BILE. The books are ftl! Of his arguments
OF his 6delity.to clients, the citizens of th is
county Of whose busihess in Philadelphia he
had almost exclusive charge, require nothing
70 be said ; and besides safe adviser, they
have always found him a courteous and hospi
table gentleman. AS Judge We are told he
leans much to the common law and that his
views are very conservative. In religion he
is Presbyterian. In politics he was wher
he was here and always has been a Demo
crat. AS Judge be may and probably does
suppose it improper to take any part in the
political questions now, Under discussion, but
those who know him best are sure that he
will be found at all times on the side of the
right