The Natchitoches enterprise., 1918-09-05
ACT NO. 25S.
Senate Bill No. 143-By Mr.. Smith.
InINrr EEGnI IrrrfnNr

DCHdle Dill no. libby far, Sl1lIH.
JOINT RESOLUTION
submitting to the people Of the State
Of Louisiana, at the Congressional
election to be held in November 1913,
an amendment TO the Contribution Of
the State authorizing corporations
formed or to be formed under the
laws Of this State for the purpose e
constructing and operating canals for
irrigation and nav igation, as well as
plants for the generation and distrl-
button of hydro electric power, 20
utlIlze the waters Of the naVigable
streams of this State under such
regulations as may be prescribed by
the State Board of Engineers, for such
purposes; az well q to use the de-
serted beds Of former navigabIs
streams that may remain the prop
erty of the State as reservoirs in
connection with such irrigation
projects; and providing that, at the
end of seventy (7O) wears fTom the
completion of any asstem Of canals
and hydro electric plants by corpCr-
atlons availing themselves Of the au-
thoritE so Glantcd. their property and
pants Shai become the property Of
thG State, to be operated by il for
Pupiic revenue in such manner a the
legislature shall direct: and provid-
ing that none Of these provisions
shall be construed to arpIy TO canals
1918.
whereas, The rice interests Of large
portions of this State have suffered
and
Whereas, If water can be furnished
Tor the irrigation Of rice lands from
naVigable streams Of the State, hum
Cfeds o. thousands OF ceres OF land
now idle can be reclaimed and brought
INTO cultivation, thus adding to the
wealth and prosperity OF the State; and.
herCas, Canals can ho constructed
SO as to provide Irrigation. navigation
ana power and il is the States duty to
encourage and promote the orEaniza-
ton of such concerns:
Section !. Be ii resolved By the Gem
eral Assembly Of the State Of Louisi-
ana, tWo-thirds OF all the members
elected to each House concurring, that
the following amendment to the Con-
sttution be submitted TO the qualified
electors of the State for their adoption
or rejection at the Congressional elec-
ton 10 he held on the rlrst Tuesday af-
ter the first Monday in the month Of
November 1913, as follows:
Corporations formed or 10 be formed
under the laws Of this State for the
purpose of constructing and operating
canals for irTigat ton and navigation, al
well as plants for the generation and
distribution of hydro electric power
shall have the right, under such regu-
1ations as shall be prescribed by the
State Board Of Engineers, to utilize for
such purposes the waters Of the naVi-
gable streams Of this State, as well as
the right to use as reservoirs or for the
storing Of water for such purposes the
deserted beds of former navigable
streams which may be the properly Of
the State; provided that, at the end of
seventy (70) years from the completion
of any system of canals and hydro
electric plants by corporations afailinS
themselves of the authority so granted
their property and plants shall become
the property of the State to be oper-
ated by it fer public revenue In such
manner as the Legislature shall direct;
and provided further that none of these
provisions shall he construed to apply
to canals in existence prior to July l,
1915.
Section q Be it further resolved, etc.
That the official ballot to be used az
said election shall have printed there
on the words: For the proposed
amendment to the Constitution of the
State of Louisiana authorizing the use
of the waters of the navigable streams
OF the State, under such regulations as
the State Board of Engineers shall pre-
scribe. as well as the use of deserted
river beds the property of the State
for reservoir purposes 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 20 years from completion of the
systems, such canals and hydro electric
plants shall become the property OF
the State to lie operated for public rev.
enue." And the words Against the
proposed amendment to the COnstitu-
tion of the State of Louisiana author
izing the use of the waters of the nav
iga BILE streams OF the State under such
regulations as the State Board of En-
gineeTs shall prescribe as well as the
use Of deserted river beds the property
of the State for reservoir purposes in
connection with such canals, by corpoT-
atoms formed or to be formed
under the laws of this State;
and providing that at the end Of
20 years from completion of the sys-
TENS, such canals anE hydro electric
plants shall become the property of the
State. to be operated for public rcve-
nues." And each elector shall indicate
as provided in the general elections
laws of the State whether he votes for
or against the proposed amendment.
FERNAND MOUTON,
lieutenant Governor and President Of
the Senate.
HEWITT BOUANCHAUD,
Speaker of the House of Representa-
tives.
Approved: July II, 1918.
r. G. PLEASANT,
Governor of the State OF Louisiana.
A true copy:
JAMES J. BAILEY,
Secretary of State.