The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1918-09-26
ACT No a5S


ACT No. 25S.
Senate Bill No. 1851 By Mr.. Smith,
JOINT RESOLUTION
Submitting to the people of the State of
Louisiana, mt 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
as well as plants for the generation and
distribution of hydro-electric power, to
utilize the waters Of the navigable
streams of this state, under such regula-
lions as may be prescribed by the State
Board OF Engineers. for such purposes ::
as well as to use the deserted beds Of
former nayigable streams that may re-
main the property of the state rs rescr-
voirs in connection with such irrigation
protects; and providing that, at the end
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 public revenue in such manner
as the Legislature shall direct; and pro-
yidinS that none of these provisions shall
be construed to apply to canals in ex-
istence on or prior to July 1, 1918.
Whereas. The rice interests of barge por-
tions of this State have suffered great
losses for want of fresh water: and,
whereas, II water can be furnished for
the irrigation of rice lands from naviagble
streams OF the state, hundreds of thou
sands of acres of land now idle can be re-
claimcd and brought into cultivation, thus
adding to the Wealth and prosperity of the
State: and,
Whereas Canals can be constructed so
us to provide irrigation, navigation and
power. and it is the States duty to en-
courage and promote the organization of
such concerns:
Section l.. Ec it resolved by the General
Assembly OF t.. State of Louisiana, two
thirds of all the members elected to each
Eous" eoncurIing. That the following
Amendment to the Constitution be submit
ted to the qualified Gle. tors of the. State,
for their adoption or rejection. at the CON
gr"ssional elettien to be held on the first
Tuesday after the first Monday in the
month Of November, 1918. as follows:
Corporations formed or to be formed un-
der the laws of this State for the purpose
of constructs ting and operating canals for
irrigation and navigation, as well us plants
for the generation and distribution of
under such regulations as shall be prescrib-
ed by the State Board of Engineers. to
utilize for such purposes the waters of the
navigahle streams Of this State, us well as
the right. to use as reservoirs CIR for the
storing of water fer such purposes the de-
serted beds of former navigable streams
provided that, ut the end of seventy t7OD
years from the completion of any system
of canals and hydro-plectric plants by cor.
porations awaiting themselves of the author.
1ty so granted. their property and plants
shall become the property of the State, to
| be operated by it fer public revenue in such
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 /, 191s
Sec. ,. BE it further resolved. etc. That
the official ballot to be used at said election
shall have printed thereon the words: g Fol
the proposed amendment to the Constitution
of the State Of Louisiana authorizing the
| use of the waters of the navi gable streams
! State Board Of Engineers shall prescribe
| as well as the use of deserted river beds
| 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
at the end of seventy years from compile
| tion of the systems. such canals and hydro
| electric plants shall become the property Of
! the State to be operated for public rpvc
| nue. and the words, against the pro
posed amendment to the Constitution of thu
State oof Louisiana authorizing the use OF
the waters of the navigable streams of tn,
| State, under such regulations as the Staff
| Board of Engineers shall prescribe, rs wei
| as the use of deserted river beds. the prop
| connection with such canals. by corpora,
| tons formed or to be formed under tn,
| laws of this state: and providing that ri
| the end Of seventy years from completion o.
| the systems, such canals and hydr0-eleG tri,
! plants shall become the property OF tn,
| State, to be operated for public revenues,
and each electOr shall indicate, as providct
| in the general election laws Of the State
whether he votes for or against the pro
posed amendment.
FERNAND MOUrON,
| Lieutenant Governor and President of tn,
| Senate.
| HEWITT HOUANCHAUD,
| Speaker of the House of Representatives
| Approved July II, 1913.
| Il. q. PLEASANT,
| Governor of the State of Louisiana
| \ true copy:
| JAMES J. BAILEY, Secretary of State.