The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1918-09-28
ACT NO. 252.
Senate Bill No. 143. BY Mr.. Smith.
JOINT RESOLUTION.

JOINT RESOLUIiON.
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 rs
well rs to use the deserted beds Of
former navigable streams that may
remain the property of the state as
reservoirs in connection with such if
IiEatlon projects; and providing that,
at the end Of seventy C10D years from
the completion Of any system of ca
nails and hydro electric plants by
corporations awaiting themselves Of
the authority 50 granted. their prop
crty ana plants shall become the
property Of the State. to he operated
hy il for public revenue in such man
ntr 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. Ii water can he furnished for
the irrigation Of rice lands from navgable
streams Of the State, hundreds of thou
sands Of acres Of land now idle can he re-
claimed ana brought into cultivation. thus
adding "a the wealth ana prosperity Of
the State: ana,
Whereas. Canals can he constructed so
as 10 provide irrigation. navigation and
power. ANA 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 concurrne, that tha following
amendment to the Constitution be sub
mitted 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 rs shall be
prescribed by the state Board of Engi-
neers. TO utilize for such purposes the
waters Of the navigahle streams of this
state, as well as the right to use as reser-
VoirS for 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 (10) years from the
completion of any system Of canals and
hydro electric plants by corporations
avaiing themselves of the authority so
granted. their property and plants shall
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 to
canals in existence prior to July |, 1918.
Section 2 Be il 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
nav g bic streams of the state, under
such regulations as the State Board of
Engineers shall prescribe, as well as the
use of deserted river beds the property of
the State for reservoir purposes in connec-
ton with such canals by corporations
formed or 10 be formed under tfle laws OF
this State; and providing that at the end
of 30 years from completion of the syS-
TENS. such canals and hydro electric
plants shall become the property of the
State to be operated for public revenue"
And the words Against the proposed
amendment TO the Constitution of the
State Of Louisiana authorizing the use of
the waters of the nayigable streams of
the State, under such regulations as the
State Board of Engineers shall prescribe,
as wei 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 provid-
ing that at the end of seventy C70) years
from completion of the systems, such ca
nails and hydro electric plants shall be-
come the property of the State, to be
operated for public revenues" And each
eector shall indicate as provided in the
general election laws of the State whether
he votes for or against the proposed
amendment.
FERNAND MOUTON,
Lieutenant Governor and President of the
HEWITT BOUANCHAUD,
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Approved: July II. 1918.
r. G. PLEASANT,
Governor of the State Of Louisiana.
true copy:
JAMES j. BAILEY,
Secretary of State.