The Natchitoches enterprise., 1918-08-29
ACT NO. 25s.
Senate BIZ No. 143-By Mr.. Smith.

SOAN1 nESOLU11ON
submitting to the people Of the STATE
or Louisiana, at the Congressiona
election to be held in November 1918
an amendment to the Constitution OF
the State authorizing corporation!
formed or to be formed under the
laws of this State for the purpose OF
constructing and operating canals fol
irrigation and navigation, as well az
plants for the generation and distri-
butlon of hydro electric power. ia
utlllze the waters of the naViga BILE
streams Of this State, under such
regulations as may be prescribed by
the State Board of Engineers, for such
purposes; as WeN 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 (70) years from the
completion of any system Of canals
and hydro electric plants by corpor-
atlons availing themselves of the au-
t4orlty SO granted. their property and
plants shall become the propcrty of
the State, to be operated bv if for
PUBIC revenue in such manner as the
Legislature shall direct; and proyfd-
ing mat none of these provisions
shaIl pc construed to apply to canals
1918. ~ '"i' =
whereas, The rice interests of large
portions Of this State have suffered
and 4 ""'0'
whereas, If water can be furnished
LOT tne irrigation of rice lands from
naVisaple streams of the State, hum
oFeds or thousands of acres OF land
now IDLE can be reclaimed and brought
INTO cultivation, thus adding to the
"9aith and prosperity of the State; and,
whereas, Canals can be constructe ed
o rrf, i,,,1 49,
ana power. and it is the States duty to
encourage and promote the orEaniza-
tion of such concerns:
section l. Be it resolved by the Gen.
erai Assembly of the State of Louisi-
ana, two-thirds of all the members
elected to each House concurring, that
the Following amendment to the Con-
stltution be submitted to the qualified
electors of the State for their adoption
or rejection at the Congressional elec-
tlon 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
Wen 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 C1O years from the completion
or any system of canals and hydro
electric plants by corporations arailing
themselves of the authority so granted,
their property and plants shall become
the property of the State to be oper-
ated by 1t 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 it 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 well 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 10 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-
tion of the State of Louisiana author
izing the use OF the waters of the nav
fgable streams of the State. under such
regulations as the State Beard 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 al hydro electric
plants shall become the property of the |
State, to be operated for public reve-
nues." And each elector shall indicate |
as provided in the general elections !
laws of the State wht ther he votes for |
or against the proposed amendment
FERNAND MOUTON,
Governor and President of |
the Senate.
HEWITT BOUANCHAUD, |
Speaker of the House of Representa- |
tives.
Approved: July II, 1918 |
R. G.. PLEASANT
Governor of the State of Louisiana, |
A true copy:
JAMES J. BAILEY
Secretary of State. /