St. Tammany farmer., 1918-09-07
ACT. NO. 25s.
Senate Bill No. 143, by Mr.. Smith.
JOINT RESOLUTION.

ACT NO. 258.
Senate Bill No. 143. by Mr.. Smith.
JOINT RESOLUTION.
Submitting to the people OF the Sta/e !
of Louisiana, at the Congressional
election to be held in NovembeSs
1918, an amendment to the Con- !
stitution of the State authorizing
corporations formed or to be form
ed under the laws of this State for
the purpose of constructing and
operating canals for irrigation and
navigation, as we'll as plants for
the generation and distribution OF
hydro-electric power, to utilize the
waters of the manageable streams OF
this State, under such regulations
as may be prescribed by the State
Board of Engineers, for such pur-
poses; as we'll as to use the desert
ed beds of former navagable
streams that may remain the prop
erty of the State as reservoirs in
connection with such irrigation
projects; and providing that at the
send of seventy (70) years from
the completion of any system OF
canals and hydrO-electric plants by
corporations availing themselves
of the authority SO granted, their
property and plants shall he come
the property of the State, to be
operated by it for public revenue
in such manner as the Legislature
shall direct; and providing that
none of these provisions shall be
construed to apply to canals in ex-
istence on or prior to July 1, 1918.
Whereas, the ric9 interests of large
portions of this State have suffered
great loss for want of fresh water;
and,
Whereas, II water can be furnish
ed for the irrigation OF rice lands
from navagable streams Of the State,
hundreds of thousands of acres OF
land now idle can be reclaim I'd and
brought into cultivation, thus adding
to the wealth and prosperity of the
State; and,
Whereas, Canals can be construct
ed so as to provide irrigation, navi-
cation and power, and it is the
States duty to encourage and pro-
kmote the organization of such con-
Germs:
Section /. Be it resolved by the
General Assembly of the State of
Louisiana, two-thirds Of all the mem
bers elected to each house concurring
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 Mon
day In the month of November, 1918,
as follows:
l Corporations formed or to be form
ed under the laws of this state for
| the purpose of constructing and op-
| Grating canals for irrigation and nav
| igation, as we'll as plants for. the gen.
GRAFTON and distribution of hydro
electric power, shall have the right,
under such regulations as shall be
prescribed by the State Board of En-
| gineers, to utilize for such purposes
! the waters of the navigabie streams
| of this State, as we'll as the right to
use as reservoirs or for the storing
of water for such purposes the de-
served beds of former navigable
streams which may be the property
of the State; provided that, at the
end of seventy years from the COM
pletion 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 Legis-
lature shall direet; and provided fur
ther that none of these provisions
shall be construed to apply to canals
In existence prior to July 1, 1918.
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 Constitution
of the State of Louisiana authorizing
the use of the waters of the navi-
gable streams of the State, under
such regulations as. the State Board
of Engineers shall prescribe, as we'll
as the use of deserted river beds the
property of the State for reservoir
purposes in connection with such ca
mails, by corporations 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
electric plants shall become the prop
erty of the State to be operated for
public revenue" and the words
Against the proposed amendment to
the Constitution of the State of Lou
isiana authorizing the use of the
waters OF the navigable streams of
the State, under such regulations as
the State Board of Engineers shall
prescribe, as we'll as the use of de-
serted river beds the property of the
State for reservoir purposes in con-
nection with such canals, by corpora
tions formed or to be formed under
the laws OF this state; and providing
| that at the end of seventy years from
the completion OF the systems, such
canals and hydro-electric plants shall
become the property of the State, to
be operated for public revenues !;
and each .elector shall indicate as
provided in the general election laws
Of the State whether he votes for or
against the proposed amendment.
| FERNAND MOUTON,
Lieut.-Gov. and Pres. of the Senate
! HEWITT BOUANCHAUD,
Speaker of House of Representatives.
Approved July II, 1918.
| R. G. PLEASANT,
| Governor of State of Louisiana.
| A true copy
JAS. ]. BAILEY,
| Secretary of State.