The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1918-09-12
ACT M o5S
ACT No. 25S.
Senate Bill No. lab. BY Mr.. Smith.
TnJN,r pSSnV V.TVnN

ACT No. 25S.
Senate Bill No. 143.l BY Mr.. Smith.
JOINT RESOLUTION
Submitting to the people of the State of
louisiana; at the congressional election
to be held in November, 1918 an amend
ment to the Constitution of the State
authorizing corporations formed or to be
formed under the laws of this state for
the purpose of constructing and operat-
ing canals for irrigation and navigation,
rs well as plants for the generation and
distribution of ~hydro-electrie power, to
utilize the waters of the nayigable
streams OF this state. under such rcgula-
lions as may be prescribed by the State
Board of Engineers. for such purposes !:
MS well as to use the deserted beds of
former navigable streams that may re-
vOirs In connection with such irrigation
projects; and providing that. at the end
OF seventy tIOl years from the compile
ton of any system of canals and hydro-
electric plants by corporations availing
themselves Of the authority so granted
their property and plants shall become
the property OF the State, to be- operated
by It for pubic revenue in such manner
as the Legislature shall direct: and pro-
viding that none of these provisions shall
be construed to apply to canals in cx-
lstcnte on or prior to July l, 1918.
Whereas. The rice interests of large por-
tions of this State have suffered great
losses for want Of fresh water: and,
Whereas: II water can be furnished for
hils-NtIOA VI iICt lTOul ndf1iSDIe
streams of the State. hundreds of thou
sands of acres OF land now idle tan be re-
claimed and brought into cultivation, thus
adding to the wealth and prosperity of the
State: and,
Whereas. tanais can be constructed so
as to provide irrigation, navigation and
power, and it is the States duty to en-
courage and promote the organization Of
such concerns:
Section 1. &c it resolved by the General
Asst mbly of the state of Louisiana, two
thirds of al the members elected to each
house ContIrring. Taat the following
amendment to tAt constitution be submit
ted to the qualified cleo tors of the State,
for their adoption or rejct tion. ut the con-
Tuesday after the first Monday in the
month CT November, 1918. as follows:
Corporations formed or to be formed I'M
der the laws o. this State for the purpose
irrigation and navigation, well as plants
for the generation and distribution of
hydro-elcttric peWcr, shall have the right.
under such regulations MS shall be prcsCrib-
cd by the State Board of Engineers to
utilize for such purposes the waters of the
navigablc streams Of this State. us wen as
the. right to use as reservoirs or for the
STEERING of water fer such purposes the de-
serted beds of former navigablc streams
which may be the property of the State
provided that. ut the end of seventy t7OD
years from the completion of any system
of canals and hydro-clettric plants by COR
porations awaiting themselves of the author
ity so granted. their property and plants
shall become tc property of tho State, to
manner as the Legislature shall direct: and
provided further that none of these pro-
visions shall be construed to apply to
| canals in existence prior to July 1. 1918.
Sec. ,. BE 1t further resolved. etc. That
the official lallCt to be used ut said election
shall have printed thereon the words: For
the proposed amendment to the Constitution
of the State of Louisiana authorizing the
use of the waters of the navignble streams
of the State. under such regulations as the
State Board of Engineers shall prescribe,
the property Of the State. for reservoir pur-
poses in connection with such canals, by
corporations formed or to be formed under
the laws of this state: and providing that
tiOn of the systems such canals and hydro
electric plants shall become the property of
the State to be operated for public reve-
| nue. and the words, against the pro-
State oOf Louisiana authorizing the use OF
the waters Of the navigablc streams Of the
State. under such regulations the State
| Board of Engineers shall prescribe, as well
as the use of deserted river beds the prop
| erty of the State, for reservoir PURPOSES In
connection with such canals. by corpora
| tons formed or to be formed under the
laws of this state: and providing that at
| the end of seventy years from completion OF
| the systems. such canals and hydro-elcttrie
plants shall become the property of the
'StUt', " W OpeIdteu lOT revenues,
| and each electcr shall indie ate. as provided
| in the general election laws of the State
whether he votes for or against the pro
posed amendment.
FERNAND Morton,
| Lieutenant Governor and President of the
Senate.
HEWITT RoUANCHAUD.
| Speaker of the House of Representatives
| Approved: July H. 1918.
I X. q. PLEASANT
| Governor of the State of Louisiana
| 4 true copy:
JAMES j. BAILEY. Secretary of State.