The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-04
Tributes TO THE DEAD.
Expressions from Prominent Men
UpOn Governor Porter's Career

80 t'AOA
Upon Governor POrter's Career.
General Harrison said: Il have known
Governor Porter since 1854, and for the
larger part of the time since we have been
closely associated. When l came to the
bar here he was the law partner of Hon.
Lucien Barbour, and the firm was among
the leading law firms of the city, and, in
deed, of the State. Mr.. Porter must have
been about thirty years of age then, and
was a very bright and attractive young
man. He had already been recognized by
his party as a brilliant platform speaker
and as a man who had before him a high
career. He was the second official re-
porter of the Supreme Court, Horace Car
ter, the first, having published only two
volumes. Governor Porter was admirably
adapted to that work. He was quite like
Judge Blackford in the carefulness and
precision of his work. He did not accept
the first word that suggested itself, but dug
out the exact word, and his proof reading
was as careful as if he had been editing
Holy Writ. He was a very forcible and
formidable advocate, and had an especial
knack of drawing his illustrations from
the everyday life of the jurors he adj
dressed. AT the close of the war | was in
yited to enter the law firm of Porter q
FiShback, and did so: and for about ten
years Governor Porter and l were asso-
ciated very closely and maintained the most
intimate and friendly relations. We had
no differences; no j%ealousies. He left the
firm to associate himself With his son
George in the practice of the law. But his
appointment as controller of the treasury
under President Hayes and his election as
Governor in 1880 took him out of his pro-
fession for eight years and practically con-
cluded his career as a lawyer. He was a
man of scrupulous integrity in his business,
of excellent literary taste and scholarship
and of high moral ideas. He took the risk
of his convictions on the slavery question,
broke his cherished party associations and
became a Republican in politics. But his
abilities found prompt recognition in the
new party, and he became one of it's great
ly esteemed leaders. His life has been a
most useful and distinguished one, and his
death will be mourned by a very wide circle
of loving friends"
Governor Mount said: Governor Porter
possessed in a very high degree those rare
qualities of mind and heart that constitute
true greatness. The record of his public
life is his Honesty and ability
characterize all his official acts, while his
sympathy with and efforts in behalf of the
common people won their esteem and love.
His popularity was evinced by his repeated
election to office by large majorities. l was
very much impressed with the deep hold
he had Upon the people when in 1888 he
came into the lobby of the Denison Hotel
and the large gathering of delegates cheered
and cheered again for Porter, and repeated
ly urged him to permit the use of his name
in the state convention. L thought he would
be forced to follow this universal and popu-
lar demand. | had never witnessed such
unanimity of thought and expression
among men. Yet he modestly declined to
permit the use of his name. i have also
frequently been impressed by his close SYM
patty with the working people when | have
seen working men rush to meet him as he
passed along the street, and have seen
them grasp hands in cordial greeting as
one friend meets another. And / witnessed
his popularity among the farmers when he
addressed farm gatherings. He had the
happy faculty of being entirely at home
with his audience, whether of farmers, bus
mess men, working men or professional
men. / think one great element OF his
strength upon the stump was the fact that
his speeches were entirely free from abuse
and bitterness and We're characterized by
manly. ~dignifed arguments. This complete
Iy disarmed his adversaries and won for
him a high degree the esteem and conf
dence of his own party. Upon the stump a
kindly peaceful smile was always upon his
face and when he greeted men warmly
and cordially that smile still lightened his
countenance and made his presence a BEN
ediction. But few men in our State have
ever had the deep hold upon the common
people possessed by Governor Porter, His
name is emhalmed in the affections of the
people and will not be forgotten
Captain w. r.. Myers, who was secretary
of state while Mr.. Porter was Govern
or. said: My official acquaintance with
Governor Porter lasted two years. While
extremely careful and prompt in his official
work and holding others up TO the same
standard, he was always kindly, affable and
courteous in the extreme. He was one of
the most approachable men that ever sat
in the Governors chair. Though the nu-
-
breast with conflicting emotions of sym
pathy and justice, he always listened with
the greatest patience to every plea and
NOBODY went from his Office without some
word of kindly ENCOURAGEMENT from him.
Said Dan NJ. Ransdell: The death of
Hon. Albert q. Porter removes from our
midst one of the conspicuous men of our
times. His ability and high character was
known and recognized by all. His genial
presence was a benediction. Beginning life
a poor boy, by close application he arose
rapidly and soon took a place in the front
lVlr Of hfg ahnGan nvnfaGGfO1 pnGGaGGfnc
the qualities which he did. it was but nat
ural that he should be called into public
life. His genial qualities and thorough
knowledge of men peculiarly fitted him for
a successful political career. As congress
man, controller of the United States treas
ury and Governor of the State, he more
than met the expectation of his friends and
the requirements of the exalted positions
which he occupied. He has left a record
which viii be an Inspiration TO those who
follow him."