The Natchitoches enterprise., 1918-10-31
ACT NO, 2b8,
Senate Bill No. 143-By Mr.. Smith.
Joint RES0I ITTION


JOINT RESOLUTION
Submitting to the people of the state
OF Louisiana, at the Congressional
election to be held in Novem Der, 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 IOr
irrigation and navigation, as wei. 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 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 al the
end of seventy (70) years from the
completion Of any system of canals
and hydro electric plants by corpor-
atioDs availing themselves of the au-
thority so granted, their, property and
pants shall become the property Of
the state, to be operated by it for
public revenue in such manner as the
Legislature shall direct; and provid-
Ing that none of these provisions
snail be construed to apply to canals
1918.
Whereas The rice interests of large
portions OF this State have suffered
and
Whereas II water can be furnishe ed
Tor 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. CAnnla N n
so as to provide irrigation. navigation
and power. and 1t is the States duty to
encourage and promote the organiza-
ton Of such concerns:
Section 1. Be. 1t resolved by the Gem
eral 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-
stitution be submitted to the qualified
electors of the State for their adoption
or rejection at the Congressional clec-
tion 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
well 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 nav1-
gable streams of this State, as well as
the right to use as reservoirs or fCc the
storing of water for such purposes the
deserted beds of former naYigabie
streams which may be the property OF
the State; provided that, az the end of
seventy eT0) years from the completion
of 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 ouar-
ated 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 1,
1913.
Section 2. Be 1t further resolved, etc,
That the official ballot TO be used az
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 treams
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 conncctson
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
igable streams of the State, under such
regulations as the State Board Of InT
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-
atoms formed or to be formed
under the laws of this State;
and providing that at the end of
10 years from. completion of thersys-
TENS, such canals ana 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 whether he votes for
or against the proposed amendment.
FERNAND MOUTON, :.
Lieutenant Governor and President of
the Senate.
HEWITT BOUANCHAUD,
Speaker Of the House of Representa-
tives. :
Approved: July IL, 1918.
-, r.. G.. PLEASANT, ~ J,
Governor of the State of Louisiana.
A true copy: - -.
JAMES ]. BAIEEYr>e-
Secretary Of State. =