The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1912-10-12

JOINT RESOLUTION
Submitting to the people Of the State
of Louisiana, at the COMPRESSION
al election to be held in Novem-
Der, 1912, an amendment to the
Constitution of the State exempt
ing from taxation for ten Go)
years from the date Of compile
ton the capital stock, franchises.
and certain property Of all corpo-
rations constructing, owning and
operating within the State a COM
bined system of irrigation, naTi-
cation and hydro-electric power,
using fresh water streams and
water sheds, provided that each
system be completed and in op-
Grafton within five 60 years from
January 1st, 1913, and providing
further that not less than five
million dollars shall have been
expended in the construction Of
each system.
Whereas, the State of Louisiana
has large areas comprising millions
Of acres of land that can be reclaim
ed and brought into cultivation by ir-
rigation, whereby large additions will
be made to the population and, the
assessed value of the State; and,
Whereas, canals can be construct
ed so as to provide irrigation, naVi-
cation and power, and tits the States
duty to encourage and promote the
organization of such concerns:
Section /. Be it resolved by the
General Assembly of the State of
| Louisiana, two-thirds of all the mem
bers elected to each house concur
ring, That the following amendment
to the Constitution be submitted to
the qualified electors of the State
for their adoption or rejection at the
Congressional election to be held on
the first Tuesday after the first
Monday in the month of November,
1912, as follows:
There shall be exempt from taxa
ton for ten 00) years from the date
OF completion, the capital stock, fran
cbises and property of al corpora
tons constructing, owning and oper-
ating within the State a combined
system of irrigation, navigation and
hydro-electric power, using fresh
water of Louisiana streams, and wat
er-sheds, provided that each system
shall be completed and in operation
within five 90 years from January
1st, 1913, and provided further that
, not less than five million dollars
shall have been expended in the CON
struction of each system. No real Or
corporal property shall be covered
by this exemption except that which
il necessarily connected with and ap-
purtenant to each canal system and
forming part thereof, nor shall this
exemption extend to the assessed
value that such real estate had at
the time it may be acquired by the
company; provided that the right Of
the State to regulate the diversion
OF its public waters from their natu-
raj beds shall not be waived by this
amendment
Section 2. Be it further resolved,
etc., That the official ballot to be
used at said election shall have print
ed thereon the words: For the pro
posed amendment to the Constitu-
tion of the State of Louisiana ex-
empting from taxation fop ten 00)
years from the date of completion
certain new canals for irrigation, nav
igation and power purposes to be
completed within five years with
capital Of not less than five million
dollars" and the words Against
the amendment to the Constitution
Of the State of Louisiana exempting
from taxation for ten 90 years from
the date of completion certain new
canals for irrigation, navigation and
power purposes to be completed with
in five (5) years with a capital of
not less than five million dollars"
And each elector shall indicate as
provided in the general election laws
OF the State whether he votes for
or against the proposed amendment.
THOMAS C. BARRETT,
Lieutenant Governor and President
of the Senate
L. E. THOMAS,
Speaker of the House Of Represen-
tatives.
Approved: August oath, 1912.
L. E. HALL,
Governor of the State of Louisiana.
A true copy:
ALVIN E. HEBERT,
Secretary of State