The weekly soliphone., 1915-04-16
MIDDLETON IS NOW
 PARACOULD MAYOR
New Administration Takes Charge of Municipal Affairs-Pete Hous-
 ton Police Chief.

1 The formal inauguration of w. c. Middleton as mayor and other new officials of Paragould, was witness | ed by crowd that filled the city | hall last night. The ceremonies were marked by simplicity and var | jed little from the usual custom. The old city council with Mayor H. M. Jackson presiding, was called to or der, the minutes of it's former meeting were read and approved, and after deciding to pass the garb- age ordinance over to the new ad- ministration a motion prevailed to adjourn sine die.
 | The retiring mayor made a short address expressing his appreciation of the faithful service given by his co-workers and concluded his re- marks by calling the new mayor to the rostrum where he administer ed to him the oath of office and i wished for him a most successful administration. Mayor Middleton re- sponded with a short talk in which he promised to use his best endeav- ors to give Paragould clean, moral and progressive administration. He | then gave the oath of office to the new members of the city council A. w. Fligor and A. E. Ayres from the first ward, Ed Cole from the second ward, and Thos. E. Welsh from the third ward. The clerk call ed the roll and the mayor announced the council ready for business. J V. Landrum, city treasurer, anC Jeff Bratton, police judge, were giv en the oath of office. MT. Brattor responded to calls and expressed hi: appreciation of the splendid vote given him and promised to fearless ly discharge his duties as police judge.
 Mayor Middleton asked the mem bers of the old police departmen to turn over their stars and keys after which he called his new chief Pete Houston, to the stand ant swore him in. MT. Houston is ; Paragould boy, a young man Of trlet nerve and recognized honesty. H. has been employed at the lrol Mountain roundhouse for severa years, and prior to that employ ment he served for a short time oI the police force. He stated he hat not chosen his two subordinates ant asked the mayor to give him at leas a day in which to make the selec tions. Temporarily he secured tn services of Marion Sims and c. B Burns to serve until he made hi permanent selections.
 The council then proceeded to tn election of heads of the various de partments.
 Applications were read from A Yarbrough, w. M. Stanton ant Carter Phillips for sexton of tn cemetery. MT. Yarbrough was elect ed unanimously.
 J. E. Clark, Chas. Ayers, Johl Kelley and Bud Dunnigan put il bids for the scavenger work, an' the contract was awarded to J. E Clark who has served as scavenge for the past two years.
 The council then decided to g into executive session to select tn other heads of departments. Tn spectators retired and for nor than an hour the council wrestle' with the numerous applications 10 the several positions. There wer fourteen in the race for poundmas ter, J. B. Ferguson, the incumben being elected for another term.
 c. E. Waddell, now serving a city engineer, was re-electde.
 J. c. Boone, for several year street commissioner, was retained il that position. His opponents wer A. c. Hysmith, c, B. Burns an' Buck Barron.
 The real contest of the evenin was for superintendent of the wa ter plant. Eighteen applicant sought this position and it require number of ballots to reach de cision. The place finally went t L. Stedman who has served as su perintendent for several years. Mayor Middleton announced tn re-appointment of Dr. w. R. Owen as city health officer, and selecte Dr. G. T. Hopkins, Dr. F, M. Scot w. F. Trice, Geo. o. Light and l F. House as members of the boar Il of health.
 III n R Camnbe1l was re-appOinte