Bogalusa enterprise and American. (Bogalusa, La.) 1918-19??, 1918-09-19


manner as the legislature shall di-
riot; and providing that none of
these provisions hall be construed
to apply to canals in existence on
or prior to July /, 1918.
Whereas, The rice interests OF
large portions Of this State have suf-
fered great losses fer want of fresh
water; and,
Whereas, If water can be furnished
for the irrigation of rice lands from
navigable streams of the State, hum
dreds Of thousands of acres OF land
now idle can be reclaimed 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, naviga-
ton and power, and it is the States
duty to encourage and promote the
organization of such concerns:
Section 1. Be it resolved by the
General Assembly of the State of
Louisiana, two-thirds Of all the mem
bers elected to each House concur
ring, 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:
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 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 En-
gineers, to utilize for such purposes
the waters of the navigable streams
of this State, as well as the right to
use as reservoirs or for the storing
of water for such purposes the de-
serted beds of former navigable
streams which may be the property of
the State; provided that, at the end
of seventy years GO 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 pub
lie revenue in such manner as the
legislature shall direct; and provid-
ed further that none Of these pro-
visions shall be construed to apply
to canals in existence prior to July
l, 1913.
Section 2. BE it further resolved,
etc., That the official ballot to be used
at 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 navigable
streams of the State, under such reg
ulations as the State Beard of En-
gineers shall prescribe, as well as the |
use of deserted river beds the prop !
erty of the State for reservoir pur-
poses IN connection with such canals, /,
by corporations formed or to bel
formed under the laws of this State
and providing that at the end Of 10,
years from completion of the sys- !
TENS, such canals and hydro electric
plants shall become the property Of 1
the State TO be operated for public /;
revenue" And the words Against
the proposed amendment to rhe Con-
stltution of the State of Louisiana
authorizing the use of waters of the !
navigable streams of the State, und- j
er such regulations as the State l
Beard OF Engineers shall prescribe, !,
as well as the use Of deserted river /
beds the property of the State of I
reservoir purposes in connection with /
such canals, by corporations formed
or to be formed under the laws Of 7
this State; and providing that at the I
end Of 20 years from completion of
the systems, such canals and HYDRO
electric plants shall become the Drop-
ertv Of the State, to be operated for
public revenues" And each elector
shall indicate as provided in the ger
erai elections laws OF the State
he votes for or against. the
amendment.
HEWITT BOUANCHAUD.
Speaker Of the House OF Repre-
FERNAND MOJTON,
LielNerant Governor and President
Of the Senate.
Approved: July II, 1918.
Z. G. PLEASANT,
Governor OF the State of Louisiana.
true copy:
JAMES J. BAILEY,
Secretary Of State