ved the degree of D. D. S. in
1889, and the following year was Professor of Operative
Dentistry in his Alma Mater.

But this field was too narrow for his ambition. An active
practice was more to his liking, and he wanted to get in
touch with the people. With this in view he selected
Birmingham as his field of labor.

The Doctor soon built up an excellent practice, and became
indispensable both in public and religious affairs. He was
the founder of the Alabama Penny Savings Bank of Birmingham,
Ala., and the first Secretary of its Board of Directors.
Whatever is of public interest has always appealed to him,
and has had his hearty alliance.

But at that time Birmingham was a place of a few industries,
and their interdependence was so marked, that to tie up one
was to tie up all. In the strike of '92 and '93, the Magic
City slipped from under the influence of the magician's
wand, and was like any other broken and beaten town. The
strike had ruined it, and Dr. Porter, like others, sought a
better country. He chose Atlanta, Ga. He came here in the
spring of '93. By faithfully attending to business, he has
built up an excellent dental practice, and has become one of
our most popular leaders. He is genial, thoughtful and
reliable, and all classes feel very kindly toward him,
because of his deep interest in them and their affairs. He
is very much concerned in the young men and their future,
and is a prominent officer in the Y. M. C. A., established
by the colored men of Atlanta. He is conservative and just
on all public questions, and earnestly desires to give his
best to his people, because he has great faith in the
ultimate adjustment of the abnormal conditions that so
fetter them.

In discussing questions of race building it is but just that we
recognize the causes that have led up to the condition that may exist.
If we are to suggest methods by which we may correct our weak points,
we should first attempt to make plain what these are and then offer
our remedy.

We have enterprises innumerable, enterprises of all classes and kinds,
dignified and undignified, humble and pretentious, scattered all over
this broad land. But these do not take on the sturdy growth of
permanency and prosperity that usually attaches to the affairs of
others. On the contrary we are surpri