The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1918-09-07
ACT NO, 252,
Senate Bill No. 143. BY Mr.. Smith.
JOINT RESOLUTION.

SENATE Dill NO. l43. MI. IoItllU.
JOINT RESOLUTION.
Submitting to the people of the State of
Louisiana. at the Congressional cleo
ton to be held in November, 1918, an
amendment 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 operating 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 regulations as
may be prescribed by the State Board
of Engineers, for such purposes: as
well as to use the deserted beds of
former navigable streams that may
remain the property of the State as
reservoirs in connection with such ir-
rigation projects; and providing that,
ut the end of seventy (70) years from
the completion of any system of ca
nails and hydro electric plants by
corporations avaling themselves of
the authority so granted. their prop
erty and plants shall become the
property of the State. to be operated
by it for public revenue.in such man.
ner as the legislature shall direct: and
providing that none of these pro-
visions shall be construed to apply to
canals in existence on or prior to July
l, 1918
Whereas. The rice interests of large por-
ticns of this State have suffered great loss
for want of fresh water: and,
Whereas If water can be furnished for
Tho
streams of the State, hundreds of thou
sands of acres of land now idle can be re-
claimed and brought into cultivation, thus
adding to the wealth and prosperity of
the State; and,
Whereas. Canals 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 l. Be it resolved by the General
Assembly of the State of Louisiana, two
thirds of all the members elected to each
House concurring, that the following
amendment to the Constitution be sub
mtted 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. 1918. as fol-
lows:
Corporations formed or to be formed
under the laws of this State for the pur-
pose of constructing and operating canals
| for irrigation and navigation, as well as
plants for the generation and distribution
of hydro electric power, shall have the
right, under such regulations as shall be
prescribed by the State Board of Engi-
/ neers, to utilize for such purposes the
waters of the naVigable streams of this
| State, as well as the right to use as reser-
II FfnIf on CT nf To
| purposes the deserted beds of former
inavigable streams which may be the
property of the State: provided that, al
| the end of seventy (70) years from the
| completion of any system of canals ano
hydro electric plants by corporations
avaiing themselves of the authority sc
| 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 provided further that none of these
provisions shall be construed to apply tt
canals in existence prior to July l, 1918.
Section 2. Be it further resolved, etc.
That the official ballot to be used at sale
election shall have printed thereon thu
words: For the proposed amendment Il
the Constitution of the State of Louisiana
authorizing the use of the waters OF thu
lnavigable streams of the State under
such regulations as the State Board O.
1 Engineers shall prescribe, as well as thu
use of deserted river beds the property O
the State for reservoir purposes in connec
ton with such canals, by corporation:
4 formed or to be formed under the laws o
this State; and providing. that at the enc
of 20 years from completion of the sys
items. such canals and hydro electric
plants shall become the property of tn,
State to be operated for public revenue.
And the words Against the proposed
amendment to the Constitution of tn
State of Louisiana authorizing the use o
tire waters of the navigable streams o
the State, under such regulations as tn
State Board of Engineers shall prescribe
as well as the use of deserted river bed
the property of the State for reservoi
purposes in connection with such canals
by corporations formed or to be formet
under the laws of this state; and provid
ing that at the end of seventy (70) year
from completion Of the systems, such ca
nails and hydro electric plants shall be
come the property of the State, to b.
operated for public revenues" And eacl
elector shall indicate as provided in tn
general election laws of the State whethe
he votes for or against the proposes
FERNAND MOUTON,
Lieutenant Governor and President of tn
Senate.
HEWITT BOUANCHAUD,
Speaker of the House of Representatives
Approved: July H. 1918.
/, r. G. PLEASANT,
Governor of the State of Louisiana
y A true copy:
JAMES J. BAILEY,
II Secretary of State.
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