Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1918-09-27
ACT NO. 25S

Submitting to the people OF the State
of Louisiana. at the Congressional
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 distrf-
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 rse the de-
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 (70) years from the
completion of any system OF canals
and hydro electric plants by corpor-
ations availing themselves Of the au-
thorfty so granted. their property and
plants shall become the property OF
the State. to be operated by 1t for
Legislature shall direct: and provid-
ing that none of these provisions
shall be construed to apply to canals
IN existence on or prior to July i.
1918.
whereas. The rice interests of large
wi taOhS Va otdtc udVC SuiACIC Gu
great losses for want Of fresh water;
and
Whereas. II water can be furnished
for the irrigation Of rice lands from
navigable streams Of the State. hum
dreds of thousands OF acres of land
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
encourage and promote the organiza-
ton Of such concerns:
Section l., Be II resolved by the Gen.
eral Assembly OF the State OF Louisi-
ana, two-thrds Of all the members
elected to each House concurring. 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 cleo
ton to be held on the first Tuesday af-
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. as
we'll as plants for the generation 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 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 (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 IL 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 /.
1913.
Section Q. Be 1t further resolved. etc.
That the official ballot to be used at
said election shall have printed there
on 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 regulations as
the State Board of Engineers shall pre-
scribe. as we'll 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 providing that at the
end Of 20 years from completion Of the