Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1917-11-16
rHR cApITAL.
Entered at Annapolis PostofIice as
Second Glass Matter.
FRIDAY. NOVEMBER ls, 1917
CAPTAIN PORTER.

When the Angel OF Death laid his
icy fingers upon the brow OF Philip
Elwood Porter, and marked him for
his own. there was waited to the
Great Beyond the spirit of man for
whom all Annapolis mourns.
For many years the Town Clerk,
Mr.. Porter held a most responsible
position. He had acquainted himself
with all the affairs of the city, which
he knew from A TO 2. and no man was
better qualified than he.
He had data. statistics and figures
concerning this municipality at his
tongues end. He was versed in the
City Code from beginning TO end. No
question could be asked him concern
ing The legal or technical points OF
the municipality 10 which he could
not give a clear, concise and intelli-
gent answer
What his irreparable loss means to
the city at this time cannot be esti-
mated
II has been said that there is al
ways some one who can fill another's
place, but IL is safe to say few. IL
any. can I'll the place occupied in this
city by the late Capt Philip e. Por-
ter. He occupied a niche in the city's
affairs unique In itself. and for which
long years of training had fitted him.
IL cannot be expected any man can
fiji II now, or for years to come. BY
long hours of labor, deep thought
and careful study. he had acquired the
knowledge OF the workings OF this
municipality that gave him the key
70 unlock its innermost doors
Capt Porter was not minute man.
nor an hour man. He never worked
by time. He never watched the clock
been an ditor, and had published a
newspaper, for editors have, like
Death, all seasons for their own.
Time is of no moment to them. They
never watch the clock. Having ac-
quired this habit in his own news
paper Office maryland Gazette, years
ago absorbed by the CapitaD, Captain
Porter worked after hours and before
hours az HIS office In the Council
Chamber. Had the city paid him for
"over time" the debt would have been
OF too great magnitude to liquidate.
Left an orphan in his early boy
hood days. Captain Porter practically
brought up" himself He took to the
printing business and learned his
trade at the old Maryland Republican
Office under the late editor of this
paper. whom Captain Porter fire.
quently said was "the only father he
knew and TO whom the boy of those
days endeared himself
Possessed of an amiable disposition,
pleasing manner. always honest and
sincere in his dealings. Captain Por-
ter won many friends, and gaining
friends, kept them through life. II
can be truly said of him. None named
him but to praise" No one ever
spoke unkindly OF Captain Porter. who
was esteemed throughout this city
and in other parts Of the State One
OF Captain Porter's characteristics
was his love for little children They.
too. loved him. IL was he who con-
ceived the idea at Christmas time to
have n tree at the fire quarters in the
Municipal Building and from that tree
to dispense gifts and make glad the
hearts OF poor little ones. who might
otherwise have been forgotten.
He won his title Captain" by hav-
ing captained the old Company G or
the Maryland National Guard. which
he served until its dissolution.
Lately he was commissioned by the
Governor Captain of the local Home
Guard. in which he took deep inter
est. and which he drilled up to his
last illness.
His death is deeply mourned by all
who knew him, and has cast a gloom
over the city We know that he had
so lived that when the summons came
TO die. "he wrapped the drapery Of
his couch about him like one who lies
down TO pleasant dreams"
WHO'S WHO. AND WUY9