The Natchitoches enterprise. (Natchitoches, La.) 1888-1965, 1918-10-17
ACT MO 9kR

Senate Bill No 143-By Mr.. Smith.
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 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. Is well as
plants for the generation and distri-
button 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 de-
serted beds of former navigable
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 C10) years from the
completion OF any system OF canals
and hydro-eiectric plants ~ coIp0"-
&tluns ayaiiiES themselves OF tho Gu-
tH"i4ty 50 granted, their property Gui
pants SNAIL become the property OF
the' State, to be operated bv il for
Pup:lc revenue in such manner as the
Legislature shall direct; and provid-
ing that none of these provisions
ShaIl be construed to apply to canals
IN existence on or prior to July l,
1913.
Whereas. The rice interests of large
portions Of this State have suffered
great losses for want of fresh water;
and
Whereas If water can be fui intshed
Tor the irrigation of rice lands from
RaVlsable streams of the State, hun
areas or 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 constructed
SO as to provide irrigation navigation
ana power, and it is the States duty to
encourage and promote the organiza
tIon Of such concerns:
section l.. Be ii resolved by the Cen
eral Assembly Of the State of Loui5i-
ana, tWo-thirds of all the members
elected to each House COHcurIiHg, that
the following amendment TO the Con-
stitution be submitted to the qualified
electors Of the State for their adoption
or rejection at the Congressional elcc-
ton TO b held on the first Tues lay a.
ter the first Monday in the month of
November, 1918 as follows:
Corporations formed or to be formed
under the laws of this State for the
purpose of constructing and operating
canals for irrigation and navigation, a S
well as plants for the generati and
distribution of hydro-electric power,
shall have the right, under such regu-
lations --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 fC the
storing of water for such purposes the
deserted beds of former navigable
streams which may be the property 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 availing
themselves of the authority so granted,
their property and plants shall become
the property Of the State, to be oper-
ated by it for public revenue iii such
manner as the Legislature shall direct;
and provided further that none of tSese
provisions shall be construed to apply
to canals in existence prior to July l.,
1918.
Section 2. Be it further resolved etc,
That the official ballot to be used at
said election shall have printed there
on the words: For the - proposed
smerdIneat to the Constitution Of the
of the waters of the navigable treams
of the State, under such regulations as
the State Board of Engineers shall pre-
scribe, as we'll as the use of deserted
rivef 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 70 years from completion of the
systems, such canals and hydro electric
plants shall become the property Of
the State to be operated for public rev.
enue." And the words Against the
proposed amendment to the Constitu-
ton of the State of Louisiana author
izing the use OF the waters of the nav
igable streams of the State, under such
regulations as the State Board of En-
gineers 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 corpor-
ations formed or to be formed
under the laws of this State;
and providing that at the end OF
70 years from completion of the sys-
TENS. such canals ana hydro electric
plants shall become the property of the
State. to be operated for public reve-
nucG." 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 or
the Senate.
HEWITT BOUANCHAUD,
Speaker of the House of Representa-
tivcs.
Approved: July II, 1913.
r. G. PLEASANT.
Governor of the State of Louisiana.
"A true copy:
JAMES J. BAILEY,
Secretary of State.