Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1910-09-02
ACT No. 279.
Senate Bill No. 1877.
AN ACT

ACT No. 27s.
Senate Bill No. 1877.
AN ACT
Submitting to the people of the State OF Lou
isiana, at the congressional election to pc
held in Novebmer, 1910. an amendment 10 the
constitution exempting from taxatl0h IoI
fifteen years from the Date ,o OF i Sor.estc
steamship companies engaged IN foreign
commerce. and fixing the conditions OF such
whereas, the City of New Orleans is the
natural gateway of the Mississippi Valley
through which should pass the commerce
Of that greatest and most viriis section
Whereas, the completion Of the Panama
Canal will give an enormous stimulus 10
trade and commerce between the Missis
sippi Valley and Orient and the west coast
Of South America and OF our own country
Whereas. the people Of the Mississippi
Valley and of the whole south must be
prepared to take immediate advantage OF
this new channel of trade. lest the vast
field which it opens be taken possession Oh
by the maritime rivals of this country
Whereas. great steamship companies
domiciled in New Orleans are the only
and the absolutely necessary means
whereby trade and commerce between the
Mississippi Valley and the countries Dor
dering on the Pacific Ocean may be PRO-
NOTED and conserved for our own country;
and
Whereas, the State proposes to tax her
self to promote q great world s exposition
at New Orleans to celebrate the completion
of the Panama Canal, and 1t is the State
duty to encourage and promote the organ
izstion of such great steamship companies
in aid and in furtherance of this project;
Section 1. Be it enacted by the General
Assembly of the State of Louisiana, two
thirds of all the members elected to each
ressional election 10 be held in this State on
| Tuesday, November 8, 1910. the following
| amendment to the Constitution shall be sub
| mitted to the electors of the State, to-wit:
Steamship companies organized as here
| matter set forth. together with their capital
stock and all their property, corporeal and
| and licenses, State, Parish. Levee and NUM-.
| cipal. both general and special, exclusive OF
wharfage. shed or levee Dues for fifteen
tsry Of State proof that their authorized
| capital stock has been paid in full in cash.
| No such steamship company shall have the
| benefit Of this constitutional provision except
upon the following conditions:
First-That such company shall have been
organized and the whole of its authorised
capital stock paid in cash within two years
Second-That such company shall be domi-
ciled in the City of New Orleans, or In some
other port of this State.
Third-That such company shall have .
capital stock Of at least three million dollars
payable only in cash;
Fourth-That it shall be provided in the
! or firm, or individual shall own or control
either directly or Indirectly. more than one
| twentieth of the capital stock Of the com.
psny; and that all pooling agreements and
voting trusts between the stockholders to
control the corporation shall be absolutely
| null and void and no stock held in any such
pool or voting trust shall ever be voted al
1 any corporate election or meeting
Fifth-That the capital stock Of each COM
ypu iai % to in Nsw
| newspapers for at least three months before
the books are closed. and if over-subscribed
| shall be apportioned among tho subscribers:
Sixth-That all vessels operated by said
| company shall be common carriers on every
voyage unless the whole capacity of the ship
shall be chartered for . particular voyage
for a particular purpose
| 1t shall be lawful for companies so organi
zed in addition to the powers now provided
by the laws Of the State to incorporate into
their charters all or any OF the following
First-To build. charter or purchase yes
Second-To insure goods. wares and mer
chandise carried in their own bottoms against
FIRE and perils Of the sea.
Third-To build, own, rent and operate
shipyards. docks, piers, wharves and ware
houses for the transaction of their business
Fourth-To trade with foreign countries
United States, by exporting cargo carried
thereto in their own vessels, and to import
from foreign countries including the foreign
possessions of the United States, in their
own vessels cargo for sale or exchange in
the United States. but no ship Of such 9
company shall be laden with the company
own cargo to the exclusion OF cargo 6,; onere rec
s such '0 cargo y' offered by The general public
shall have preference on all voyages fol
Fifth-To authorize corporations, foreign
and domestic. to subscribe to and own share.
of their capital stock, not however in excess
asa prop.rsS or ship .h.
be within the exemption herein granted, mol
shall vessels of such corporations operated
in the coating trade Of the United States
States, other than Louisiana ports, and
foreign countries not including the foreigr
Ss assumption OF Il:
voyage in any year shall subject the vesse
making the voyage to taxation for that year
the Secretary Of State that the authorized
capital stock has been paid in cash shall b,
the Joint affidavit of the president and sec
sncd q sy the to s.anss Of
Each Of said corporations shall possess
the power Of eminent domain for the purpos,
Of securing land on which to erect q plan
Section .. Be it further enacted. ete:,
That on the official ballot to be used at syiC
election shall be placed the words:
For the amendment exempting domesti,
steamship companies from ali taxation foi
Fifteen Years under certain conditions"
against the amendment exempting do
nestle steamship companies from all taxa
tion for Fifteen Years under certain condi
TONS
And each elector shall indicate his yot,
on the proposed amendment as provided il
the general election laws of this State.
p. NJ. LAMBREMONT,
Lieutenant Governor and President Of tn
| Senate.
| H. G.. DUPRE,
Speaker Of the House of Representatives
. Approved: July Z, 1910.
j. Y. SANDERS
Governoi of the State Of Louisiana
| A true copy:
| JOHN T. MICHEL