Interrogatories, Production of Documents, and Admissions

Public Court Documents
March 28, 1989

Interrogatories, Production of Documents, and Admissions preview

62 pages

Includes Correspondence from Buentello to Ifill. Defendants' Replies and Objections to Plaintiffs' Requests for Admissions (Amended)*; Defendants' Replies and Objections to Plaintiffs' First Requests for Admissions; Plaintiffs' First Request for Admissions; Defendants' Answers to Plaintiffs' First Set of Interrogatories; Plaintiffs' First Set of Interrogatories; Defendants' Responses to Plaintiffs'; Plaintiffs' First Request for Production of Documents and Things

Cite this item

  • Case Files, LULAC and Houston Lawyers Association v. Attorney General of Texas Hardbacks, Briefs, and Trial Transcript. Interrogatories, Production of Documents, and Admissions, 1989. 3ade98f1-1d7c-f011-b4cc-6045bdd81421. LDF Archives, Thurgood Marshall Institute. https://ldfrecollection.org/archives/archives-search/archives-item/5ca403d5-020c-4277-9ec2-bdb5bef32818/interrogatories-production-of-documents-and-admissions. Accessed November 06, 2025.

    Copied!

    LAW OFFICES OF 

TEXAS RURAL LEGAL AID, INC. 
201 NORTH ST. MARY'S ST.. SUITE 600 

SAN ANTONIO. TEXAS 78205 
(512) 222-2478 

  

March 28, 1989 

Sherrilyn Ifill 
NAACP Legal Defense Fund 
99 Hudson, 16th floor 
New York, NY 10013 

Re: Lulac et al. vs Mattoxs et al. 
  

Dear Ms. Ifill: 

Enclosed you will find the Interrogatories, Production of 
Documents, and Admissions, which Susan asked me to mail to 
you. 

ay Seam 

Ja uentello 

Secretary 

   



  

. ~ 

>’ i X Need » 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 
WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS 
MIDLAND-ODESSA DIVISION 

LULAC COUNCIL #4434, et al., 

Plaintiffs, 

Civil Action No. 

MO-88-CA-154 

VS. 

JIM MATTOX, et al., 
¢ Defendants. 

CO
% 

O
°
 

LO
N 

CO
B 

LO
B 

CO
P 

LO
R 

» 

DEFENDANTS' REPLIES AND OBJECTIONS TO 
PLAINTIFFS' REQUEST FOR ADMISSIONS (AMENDED)* 

Pursuant to the Court's Order Concerning Admissions, filed on March 

6, 1989, the state defendants reply and object as follows: 

REQUEST NO, 11 
  

Candidates for district court in the State of Texas run in party 
primaries. 

REPLY TO REQUEST NO. 11 
  

(For purposes of this reply and all further replies and objections, the 
state defendants will assume that the term "district court”, as well as its 
plural form, is used in the sense described in the second sentence of Reply 
to Request No. 2 in Defendants’ Replies and Objections to Plaintiffs’ First 
Request for Admissions. Because the set of admission requests to which 
the state defendants now are responding really are a continuation of the 
previous set, shorthand references to the replies and objections to the 
earlier set of admission requests will periodically be made.) The state 

  

* The state defendants are responding to the admissions contained in Exhibit A to Plaintiffs’ First Motion Concerning Admissions, which are the ones to which the plaintiffs have indicated they want responscs mailed by March 14, 1989. 

 



  

® “r 4 1 Se » 

defendants admit that district court candidates may run in party 

primaries. 

REQUEST NO. 12 
  

If no candidate receives the majority of votes in a party primary, the 

top two candidates compete in a run-off election. 

REPLY TO REQUEST NO. 12 | 
: Admit. 

,  REQUESTNO., 13 

  

  

The candidates who win in the party primaries compete in the 

general election. 

REPLY TO REQUEST NO. 13 

Admit. 

REQUEST NO. 14 

  

  

Each judicial district in Texas contains one or more complete counties. 

In other words, no judicial district is smaller in size than an entire county. 

[See Texas Government Code Section 24.945(¢)]. 

OBJECTION AND REPLY TO REQUEST NO. 14 
  

The state defendants object to this request for the reasons stated in 

the first two sentences (along with citations) of their Objection and Reply 

to Request No. 3. The state defendants do admit that it appears to be an 

accurate description of the law. 

REQUEST NO. 15 
  

This lawsuit challenges the following judicial districts for district 

courts in Harris County: 

11th, 55th, 61st, 80th, 113th, 125th, 127th, 129th, 133rd, 
151st, 152nd, 157th, 164th, 165th, 174th, 176th, 177th, 178th, 
179th, 180th, 182nd, 183rd, 184th, 185th, 190th, 208th, 209th, 

i TN 

 



® ~~ Fi Y ried ® 

215th, 228th, 230th, 232nd, 234th, 245th, 246th, 247th, 248th, 
257th, 262nd, 263rd, 269th, 270th, 280th, 281st, 295th, 308th, 
309th, 310th, 311th, 312th, 313th, 314th, 315th, 333rd, 334th 
337th, 338th, 339th, 351st. 

  

J 

REPLY TO REQUEST NO. 15 
  

The state defendants admit that the listed districts are the ones lying 

within Harris County, but are uncertain from the pleadings whether all of 

them are challenged. Therefore, they deny the remainder of the request. 

>  REQUESTNO. 16 
  

This lawsuit challenges the following judicial districts for district 

courts in Dallas County: 

14th, 44th, 68th, 95th, 101st, 116th, 134th, 160th, 162nd, 
191st, 192nd, 193rd, 194th, 195th, 203rd, 204th, 254th, 255th, 
256th, 265th, 282nd, 283rd, 291st, 292nd, 298th, 301st, 
302nd, 303rd, 304th, 305th, 330th; Criminal District 1, 2, 3, 4, 
5. 

REQUEST NO, 17 
  

This lawsuit challenges the following judicial districts for district 

courts in Ector County: 

70th, 161st, 244th, 358th. 

REQUEST NO, 18 
  

This lawsuit challenges the following judicial districts for district 

courts in McLennan County: 

19th, 54th, 74th, 170th. 

REQUEST NO. 19 
  

This lawsuit challenges the following judicial districts for district 
courts in Tarrant County: 

 



® he ad 4 1 bis ® 

17th, 48th, 67th, 96th, 141st, 153rd, 213th, 231st, 233:d, 
236th, 297th, 322nd, 323rd, 324th, 325th, 342nd, 348th, 
352nd, 360th; Criminal District 1, 2,-3, 4, 

  

REQUEST NO. 20 
  

This lawsuit challenges the following judicial districts for district 

courts in Midland County: | 

142nd, 238th, 318th. 

* REQUEST NO. 21 
  

This lawsuit challenges the following judicial districts for district 

courts in Travis County: 

53rd, 98th, 126th, 147th, 167th, 200th, 201st, 250th, 261st, 
299th, 331st, 345th, 353rd. 

REQUEST NO. 22 
  

This lawsuit challenges the following judicial districts for district 
courts in Jefferson County: 

58th, 60th, 136th, 172nd, 252nd, 279th, 317th; Criminal 
District. 

REQUEST NO. 23 
  

This lawsuit challenges the following judicial districts for district 
courts in Galveston County: 

10th, 56th, 122nd, 212th, 306th. 

REQUEST NO. 24 
  

This. lawsuit challenges the following judicial districts for district 
courts in Lubbock County: 

72nd, 99th, 137th, 140th, 237th. 

 



  

pe Sof I | ety »® 

REQUEST NO. 25 
  

This lawsuit challenges the following judicial districts for district 
courts in Fort Bend County: 

240th, 268th, 328th. 

REQUEST NO. 26 
  

This lawsuit challenges the following judicial districts for district 

courts in Smith County: 

7th, 114th, 241st, 321st. 

REPLIES TO REQUEST NOS. 16-26 

y 

  

With respect to each county listed in the enumerated requests, the 
state defendants respond as they do in their Reply to Request No. 15 with 
respect to Harris County. 

REQUEST NO. 27 
  

This lawsuit challenges the following judicial districts for district 
courts in Brazos County: 

85th, 272nd, 361st. 

REPLY TO REQUEST NO. 27 
  

The state defendants deny this request based on telephone 
conversations and correspondence with the plaintiffs’ attorneys. 

REQUEST NO. 28 
  

This lawsuit challenges the following judicial districts for district 
courts in Brazoria County: 

23rd, 149th, 239th, 300th. 

REQUEST NO. 29 
  

This lawsuit challenges the following judicial districts for district 
courts in Taylor County: 

42nd, 104th, 326th, 350th. 

 



  

REQUEST NO. 30 
  

This lawsuit challenges the following 

courts in Wichita County: 

30th, 78th, 89th. 

REQUEST NO. 31 
  

This lawsuit challenges the following 

courts in Angelina County: 

159th, 217th. 

REQUEST NO. 32 
  

This lawsuit challenges the following 

courts in Gregg County: 

124th, 188th, 307th. 

REQUEST NO. 33   

This lawsuit challenges the following 

courts in Bell County 

27th, 146th, 169th, 264th. 

REQUEST NO. 34   

This lawsuit challenges the following 

courts in multi-county districts: 

judicial 

judicial 

judicial 

judicial 

judicial 

districts 

districts 

districts 

districts 

districts 

for 

for 

for 

for 

for 

district 

district 

district 

district 

district 

81st, 218th, 36th, 156th, 343rd, 22nd, 207th, 24th, 135th, 267th, 64th, 242nd, 34th, 205th, 210th. 

REPLY TO REQUEST NOS. 28-34   

Deny for the reason stated in Reply to Request No. 27. 

 



  

® Sw! 1 ? “er » 

REQUEST NO. 35 
  

Each district court in Texas has equivalent jurisdiction even if it is 

directed to give preference to specific matters or types of cases [Texas 

Government Code Section 24.309]. | 
OBJECTION AND REPLY TO REQUEST NO. 35   

The state defendants object to this request for the reasons stated in 

the first two sentences (along with citations) of their Objection and Reply 

to Request No. 3. It appears to be a relatively accurate statement of the 

law as stated in a specific part of the Texas statutes -- that is, part of the 

Texas Government Code; however, further legal research, including a 

search of local rules of practice, would be necessary to conclusively answer 

this request. 

REQUEST NO. 36 
  

Texas does not have a single member district system for the election 
of district court judges. 

OBJECTION AND REPLY TO REQUEST NO. 36 
  

The state defendants object to this request for the reasons stated in 
the first two sentences (along with citations) of their Objection and Reply 
to Request No. 3. The configuration of judicial districts in most, if not all, 
counties in Texas, suggests that this statement is a relatively accurate 
recitation of the law. 

REQUEST NO. 37 
  

There is a history of discrimination on the basis of race and ethnicity 
throughout the State of Texas LULAC v. Midland ISD, 648 F. Supp. 596, 
600, 613-21 (W. D. Tex. 1986), aff'd in relevant part, 829 F.2d 546 (5th Cir. 
1987); Extension of the Voting Rights Act of 1965; Testimony of G. Korbel, 
C. Cotrell. Hearings before the Subcommittee on Constitutional Rights of 

£7. 

 



  

p ihe t ! fi » 

the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate (94th Congress 1st 

Session) on S. 407, S. 903, S. 1279, S. 1409 and S. 1443 (April 8, 9, 10, 22, 

29, 30 and May 1, 1979). 

REPLY TO REQUEST NO. 37 
  

Because of, among other things, the uncertain meanings of "history" 

(including how far back and forward it reaches), of "discrimination" 

(including the critical distinction between intention and effect), and of 
"throughout," the state defendants deny this request. 

REQUEST NO. 38 
  

Since 1976, the State of Texas has been covered by Section 5 of the 

Voting Rights Act of 1965, which requires preclearance of changes of 
election systems by the Department of Justice or the United States District 
Court of the District of Columbia, 

OBJECTION AND REPLY TO REQUEST NO. 38   

The state defendants object to this request for the reasons stated in 
the first two sentences (along with citations) of their Objection and Reply 
to Request No. 3. The statement does appear to be a relatively accurate 
characterization of the law. 

REQUEST NO. 39 
  

In Texas, no law school accepted any black students until the late 
1940's when Texas University for Negroes opened a segregated facility. 

REPLY TO REQUEST NO. 39   

The period available to determine the accuracy of the request's 
assertion was too short to permit the - extensive and careful research into 
the facts that a factual matter such as this one deserves. For instance, it is 
unclear how far back in time the request is intended to reach. Preliminary 
and, at this point anyway, incomplete inquiries Suggest that the request 

“8 

 



% Sar’ ‘> J er » 

  

accurately reflects the facts. It simply cannot be said definitively at this 

point that it does. 

REQUEST NO. 40 
  

Texas had no integrated law school that blacks and whites could 

attend together until 1950. 

REPLY TO REQUEST NO. 40 
  

, The state defendants reply to this request is the same as their reply 
to Request No. 39. 

REQUEST NO. 41 
  

Texas did not have an integrated law school that blacks and whites 

could attend together until the United States Supreme Court the State to do 
so. Sweatt v. Painter, 339 U. S. 629 (1950). 

REPLY TO REQUEST NO. 41 
  

The apparent omission of a word from this request makes it 
impossible to reply. Based only on a guess as to the omitted word, the 
state defendants anticipate that their reply would be the same as the 
Reply to Request No. 39. 

REQUEST NO. 42 
  

Throughout Texas, social stratification based on race and ethnicity 
exists. 

REPLY TO REQUEST NO. 42 
  

Because of, among other things, the uncertain meanings of 
“[t]hroughout” and of "social stratification" (including its degree), the state 
defendants deny this ‘request, 

REQUEST NO. 43 
  

In Texas, blacks and hispanics are minority groups. 

  

 



  

: : 7 » ® i $e : iy 

REPLY TO REQUEST NO. 43 
  

The state defendants admit that in Texas blacks ‘and hispanics are 

minority groups within the meaning of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, 

as amended; however, blacks or hispanics or both combined sometimes 

constitute the majority within some relevant jurisdictions in Texas. 

REQUEST NO. 44 
  

, According to the 1980 census, the population of Texas is 14,229,191. 

There are 1,704,741 blacks and 2,982,583 persons of Spanish origin. 

[1980 Census of Population - Texas Section 1 Tables 56 at 45-11, 58 at 45- 

31, 59 at 45-59]. 

REPLY TO REQUEST NO. 44 
  

The state defendants admit that the numbers stated in the request 

accurately reflect the numbers in the 1980 Census. 

REQUEST NO. 45 
  

According to the 1980 census, there is education disparity based 

upon race and ethnicity in Texas. 

REPLY TO REQUEST NO. 45 
  

Because of the uncertain ‘meaning of "education disparity" and 

because the 1980 census makes no single, specific statement about the 
matter covered by this request, the state defendants deny it. 

REQUEST NO 46 
  

In Texas, although 65.7% of adult! white complete high school, only 

53.0% of adult blacks and 35.5% of adult hispanics complete high school. 

[1980 Census of Population - Texas Section 1 Tables 76 at 45-126 and 86 

at 45-143]. 

  

Adult is defined as twenty five years and older. 

-10- 

    

 



  

' 
\, / ® p 4 i ! i 

REPLY TO REQUEST NO. 46 
  

The state defendants admit that the numbers stated in the request 
accurately reflect the numbers stated in the 1980 census. Because of the 
uncertain meaning and implication of the words "although" and "only," the 

state defendants deny the remainder of the request. 

REQUEST NO. 47 
  

, In Texas, adult whites complete a median of 12.5 years of school but 
adult blacks and hispanics complete a median of only 12.1 and 8.8 years of 
school, respectively. [1980 Census of Population - Texas Section 1 Tables 
76 at 45-126 and 86 at 45-143]. 

REPLY TO REQUEST NO. 47 
  

The state defendants admit that the numbers stated in the request 
accurately reflect the numbers stated in the 1980 census. Because of the 
uncertain meaning and implication of the words "but" and "only," the state 
defendants deny the remainder of the request. 

REQUEST NO. 48 
  

There is disparity in income in Texas based upon race and ethnicity. 
- REPLY TO REQUEST NO. 48   

Because of, among other things, uncertainty about the meaning of the 
phrase "based upon race and ethnicity[]," the state defendants deny this 
request. 

REQUEST NO. 49 
  

According to the 1980 census,2 the mean and median incomes for 
families in Texas are: 

  

The 1980 census uses income figures gathered in 1979 

-1Y- 

  

 



  

® Nort . 1 Nr ; » 

White Black ~~ Spanish Origin 

Median $20,955 $13,042 $4,631 

Mean $24,782 $15,573 $6,531 

[1980 Census of Population - Texas Section 1 Tables 81 at 45-136 and 91 

at 54-148] 

REPLY TO REQUEST NO. 49 
  

_ Deny. 

REQUEST NO. 50 
  

According to the 1980 Census, in Texas? 8.4% of white families have 

incomes that fall below the poverty guidelines. In contrast, 24.2% of black 

families and 24.7% of Spanish origin families have incomes that fall below 

the poverty guidelines. [1980 Census of Population - Texas Section 1 

Tables 82 at 45-138 and 104 at 45-161]. 

REPLY TO REQUEST NO. 50 
  

The state defendants admit that the numbers stated in the request 

accurately reflect the numbers stated in the 1980 census. 

REQUEST NO. 51 
  

In Texas, black and Spanish origin indigent families have incomes 
that fall further below the poverty guidelines than do white indigent 
families. The mean income income deficit for white indigent families is 

$3,191.00 but for black and Spanish origin indigent families it is $3,264.00 

and $3,705.00 respectively. [1980 Census of Population - Texas Section 1 
Tables 82 at 45-138 and 104 at 45-161]. 

  

The 1980 census uses income figures gathered in 1979. 

112. 

  

 



5 ® ® Nap ,-. y Ne? 

  

REPLY TO REQUEST NO. 51 
  

The state defendants choose not to guess at the intended meaning of 

the first sentence of the request, and, because of its ambiguity, cannot 

either admit or deny it in its current form. The state defendants deny the 

second sentence of the request. 

Dated: March 14, 1989 

Respectfully submitted, 

JIM MATTOX 
Attorney General of Texas 

MARY F. KELLER 
First Assistant Attorney General 

A HICKS 
Special Assistant Attorney General 

  

JAVIER GUAJARDO 
Assistant Attorney General 

'P. O. Box 12548 
Austin, Texas 78711-2548 
(512) 463-2085 

ATTORNEYS FOR DEFENDANTS 

13+ 

  

 



  

~~ 
® rare” 4 1 ¥ 

) 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 
WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS 
MIDLAND-ODESSA DIVISION 

LULAC COUNCIL #4434, et al., 
Plaintiffs, 

Civil Action No. 

MO 88 CA 154 

VS. 

WILLIAM CLEMENTS, et al., 

Defendants. CO
B 

CO
P 

LO
N 

LO
R 

LO
N 

LO
N 

LO
» 

DEFENDANTS' REPLIES AND OBJECTIONS TO 
PLAINTIFFS' FIRST REQUEST FOR ADMISSIONS 

The Defendants reply and object as follows to Plaintiffs’ First 

Request for Admissions, served on December 15, 1988: 

REQUEST NO. 1: 
  

Venue is proper in federal court in the Western District of Texas, 

Midland/Odessa division. 

REPLY TO REQUEST NO. 1: 
  

The defendants admit that the facts of this case make venue 

proper in the United States District Court for the Western District of 

Texas, but, even though they have not challenged it, the defendants 

deny that the facts of this case make venue proper in the Midland- 

Odessa Division of that district. None of the defendants resides in any of 

the counties listed in 28 U.S.C. §124(d)(7). Therefore, among other 

things, under 28 U.S.C. §1393(b), venue is improper in that division. 

The different, but related, issue of forum non conveniens is not 

addressed in this reply because the request is not construed to cover it. 

 



  

\ . \ 

Ril 
[} i 

REQUEST NO. 2: 
  

Texas has 375 district courts. [Texas Judicial System Annual 

Report (1987) at 10]. 

REPLY TO REQUEST NO. 2: 
  

Although this request actually inquires into a legal matter set 

forth in Texas statutes creating the district courts, the defendants will 

reply to it. If the term "district courts" as used in the request is 

intended to cover state district courts, state criminal district courts, and 

state family district courts, and nothing else, the defendants admit it. 

(For purposes of all further replies and objections set forth below, the 

defendants will assume that the term "district courts" is ‘intended to 

cover the list set forth in the preceding sentence.) If the term covers 

something else, the defendants deny it. 

REQUEST NO. 3: 
  

District courts are trials courts of general subject-matter 

jurisdiction. [Texas Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann. art. 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 

1913, 1914]. 

OBJECTION AND REPLY TO REQUEST NO. 3: 
  

The defendants object to this request because it inquires into a 

matter that is purely a question of law, determinable by reference to 

applicable Texas statutes, as well as any court decisions and Attorney 

General opinions interpreting them. Therefore, it is outside the 

permissible area of inquiry under Rule 36(a) of the Federal Rules of 

Civil Procedure. See, e.g., Williams v. Krieger, 61 F.R.D. 142, 144 (S.D.N.Y. 

1973). The defendants do admit that the sentence is a generally 

accurate description of district court jurisdiction as set forth in the law. 

23. 

 



  

s 

% ’ 
ed ® —— p f 

REQUEST NO. 4: 
  

Candidates for the position of district judge must be elected by a 

majority of votes cast in the relevant election. 

OBJECTION TO REQUEST NO. 4; 
  

The defendants object to this request for the reasons stated in the 

first two sentences (along with citations) of their Objection and Reply to 

Request No. 3. 

REQUEST NO. 5: 
  

Candidates for the position of district judge must file to run for a 

particular numbered district court. This is the equivalent of a 

numbered post system. 

OBJECTION AND REPLY TO REQUEST NO. 5: 
  

The defendants object to the first sentence of this request for the 

reasons stated in the first two sentences (along with citations) of their 

Objection and Reply to Request No. 3. The defendants further object to 

this request as a whole because it constitutes an impermissible 

compound inquiry. Nonetheless, as to the second sentence of the 

request, the defendants reply as follows. In counties in Texas 

containing more than one judicial district, a candidate for district judge 

must designate the judicial district for which he or she seeks 

nomination or election. The vagueness of the second sentence makes it 

difficult to formulate a reply, but the situation described in the 

preceding sentence appears to be similar to what parts of the legislative 

history of the Voting Rights Act term a "numbered post system." 

REQUEST NO. 6: 
  

A numbered post system often highlights or exacerbates the issue 

of a candidate's race or ethnicity. 

 



  

ol 4 r No tl 1 

OBJECTION AND REPLY TO REQUEST NO. 6: 
  

The defendants object to this request because it is too vague and 

global. They cannot determine if it refers to Texas at all or even 

partially and, if it does, whether if refers to judicial elections in Texas. 

The use of the indefinite term "often" further compounds the vagueness 

of the request which makes it impossible to answer. The defendants do 

admit that the legislative history of the Voting Rights Act contains this 

assertion. 

REQUEST NO. 7: 
  

All district court judges are elected at-large from the judicial 

district in which they run. 

OBJECTION AND REPLY TO REQUEST NO. 7: 
  

The defendants object to this request for the reasons stated in the 

first two sentences (along with citations) of their Objection and Reply to 

Request No. 3. The defendants do admit that district court judges are 

elected at large in Texas counties which contain more than one judicial 

district. Because of their uncertainty about whether the term "at-large" 

is meant to cover it, the defendants cannot address the situation where 

a county or multi-county area contains only one judicial district. 

REQUEST NO. 8: 
  

In Texas, each district judge must be a citizen of the United States 

- and of Texas, licensed to practice law in Texas, and have been a 

practicing lawyer or judge of a court in Texas, or both combined, for 

four years preceding the election. [Texas Constitution Article 5, Section 

71. 

 



  

\ \ / 
yt » 

all 
i i 

OBJECTION TO REQUEST NO. 8: 
  

The defendants object to this request for the reasons stated in the 

first two sentences (along with citations) of their Objection and Reply to 

Request No. 3. 

REQUEST NO. 9: 
  

Each district judge in Texas must reside in the district in which he 

was elected for two years preceding his election and must reside in his 

district during his term of office. [Texas Constitution Article 5, Section 

7]. 

OBJECTION TO REQUEST NO. 9: 
  

The defendants object to this request for the reasons stated in the 

first two sentences (along with citations) of their Objection and Reply to 

Request No. 3. | 

REQUEST NO. 10: 
  

District court judges in the State of Texas serve four year terms. 

[Texas Constitution Article 5, Section 71. 

OBJECTION TO REQUEST NO. 10: 
  

The defendants object to this request for the reasons stated in the 

first two sentences (along with citations) of their Objection and Reply to 

Request No. 3. 

REQUEST NO. 11: 
  

Candidates for district court in the State of Texas run in party 

primaries. If no candidate receives the majority of votes, the top two 

candidates compete in a run-off election. Then, candidates compete in 

the general election. 

 



® \ 
Ne Meret” t 

  

OBJECTION TO REQUEST NO. 11: 
  

The defendants object to this request. Rule 300-6(f) of the Local 

Rules of the Western District of Texas limits the plaintiffs to ten 

requests for admissions unless they have obtained leave of court to 

exceed that number. The plaintiffs have not done so. Having replied to 

the first ten requests, the defendants need answer no more at this time 

under the local rules. 

REQUEST NO. 12: 
  

Although the governor has authority to appoint an attorney to the 
Judicial Districts Board, he has yet to do so. [Texas Judicial System 

Annual Report (1987) at 69]. 

OBJECTION TO REQUEST NO. 12: 
  

(Same as Objection to Request No. 11) 

REQUEST NO. 13: 
  

Each judicial district in Texas contains one or more complete 
counties. In other words, no judicial district is smaller in size than an 
entire county. [See Texas Government Code Section 24.945(c)]. 

OBJECTION TO REQUEST NO, 13:   

(Same as Objection to Request No. 11) 

REQUEST NO. 14: 
  

This lawsuit challenges the following judicial districts ‘for district 
courts: 

Harris County 11th, 55th, 61st, 80th, 113th, 125th, 127th, 129th, 
133rd, 151st, 152nd, 157th, 164th, 165th, 174th, 176th, 177th, 
178th, 179th, 180th, 182nd, 183rd, 184th, 185th, 189th, 190th, 

  

Vy 

 



ho / 

Sar” » 
ip 

’ : 

  

208th, 209th, 215th, 228th, 230th, 232nd, 234th, 245th, 246th. 
247th, 248th, 257th, 262nd, 263rd, 269th, 270th, 280th, 281st. 
295th, 308th, 309th, 310th, 311th, 312th, 313th, 314th, 315th, 

333rd, 334th, 337th, 338th, 339th, 351st. 

Dallas County 14th, 44th, 68th, 95th, 101st, 116th, 134th, 160th, 

162nd, 191st, 192nd, 193rd, 194th, 195th, 203rd, 204th, 254th, 

255th, 256th, 265th, 282nd, 283rd, 291st, 292nd, 298th, 301st, 

302nd, 303rd, 304th, 305th, 330th; Criminal District 1,2;:3,.4, 5. 

  

  

Ector County 70th, 161st, 244th, 358th. 

McLennan County 19th, 54th, 74th, 170th.   

Tarrant County 17th, 48th, 67th, 96th, 141st, 153rd, 213th, 231st, 

233rd, 236th, 297th, 322nd, 323rd, 324th, 325th, 342nd, 348th, 

352nd, 360th; Criminal District 1, 2.3, 4, 

  

Midland County 142nd, 238th, 318th.   

  

Travis County 53rd, 98th, 126th, 147th, 167th, 200th, 201st, 

250th, 261st, 299th, 331st, 345th, 353rd. 

Jefferson County, 58th, 60th, 136th, 172nd, 252nd, 279th, 317ih:   

Criminal District. 

Galveston County 10th, 56th, 122nd, 212th, 306th.   

he 

 



» 
\ « ' pa pA —— 

  

  

Lubbock County 72nd, 99th, 137th, 140th, 237th. 

Fort Bend County 240th, 268th, 328th.   

Smith County 7th, 114th, 241st, 321st.   

Brazos County 85th, 272nd, 361st.   

Brazoria County 23rd, 149th, 239th, 300th.   

Taylor County 42nd, 104th, 326th, 350th.   

Wichita County 30th, 78th, 89th.   

Angelina County 159th, 217th.   

Gregg County 124th, 188th, 307th.   

Bell County 27th, 146th, 169th, 264th.   

and also 

81st, 218th, 36th, 156th, 343rd, 22nd, 207th, 24th, 135th, 267th, 

64th, 242nd, 34th, 205th, 210th. 

OBJECTION TO REQUEST NO. 14: 
  

(Same as Objection to Request No. 11) 

-3- 

 



  

J 

Boor : ® ® er r : 

REQUEST NO. 15: 
  

Each district court in Texas has equivalent jurisdiction even if it is 

directed to give preference to specific matters or types of cases. [Texas 

Government Code Section 24.309]. 

OBJECTION TO REQUEST NO. 15: 
  

(Same as Objection to Request No. 11) 

REQUEST NO. 16; 
  

Texas does not have a single member district system for the 

election of district court judges. 

OBJECTION TO REQUEST NO. 16: 
  

(Same as Objection to Request No. 11) 

REQUEST NO. 17: 
  

There is a history of discrimination on the basis of race and 

ethnicity throughout the State of Texas. LULAC v. Midland ISD, 648 F. 
Supp. 596, 600, 613-21 (W. D. Tex. 1986), affd in relevant part, 829 

F.2d 546 (5th Cir. 1987); Extension of the Voting Rights Act of 1965: 

Testimony of G. Korbel, C. Cotrell. Hearings before the Subcommittee on 
Constitutional Rights of the Committee on the Judiciary, United States 

Senate (94th Congress 1st Session) on S. 407, S. 903, 8. 1279, S. 1409 
and S. 1443 (April 8, 9, 10, 22, 29, 30 and May 1, 1979). 

OBJECTION TO REQUEST NO. 17; 
  

(Same as Objection to Request No. 11) 

REQUEST NO. 18: 
  

Since 1976, the State of Texas has been covered by Section 5 of 
the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which requires preclearance of changes 
of election Systems by the Department of Justice or the United States 
District Court for the District of Columbia. 

-O. 

 



® Neri” . : {i » 

  

OBJECTION TO REQUEST NO. 18:   

(Same as Objection to Request No. 11) 

REQUEST NO. 19: 
  

In Texas, no law school accepted any black students until the late 
1940's when Texas University for Negros opened a segregated facility. 
The State had no integrated law school that blacks and whites could 
attend together until 1950, when required to do so by the United States 
Supreme Court. Sweatt v. Painter, 339 U. S. 629 (1950). 

OBJECTION TO REQUEST NO. 19:   

(Same as Objection to Request No. 11) 

REQUEST NO. 20: 
  

Throughout Texas, social stratification based on race and ethnicity 
exists. 

OBJECTION TO REQUEST NO. 20:   

(Same as Objection to Request No. 11) 

REQUEST NO. 21: 
  

In Texas, blacks and hispanics are minority groups. According to 
the 1980 census, the population of Texas is 14,229,191. There are 
1,704,741 blacks and 2,982,583 persons of Spanish origin. [1980 
Census of Population - Texas Section 1 Tables 56 at 45-11, 58 at 45-31, 
59 at 45-59]. 

OBJECTION TO REQUEST NO. 21: 

(Same as Objection to Request No. 11) 

  

210 

 



% ; : : 

REQUEST NO. 22: 
  

According to the 1980 census, there is educational disparity based 
upon race and ethnicity in Texas. Although 65.7% of adult! whites 
complete high school, only 53.0% of adult blacks and 35.5% of adult 
hispanics complete high school. Similarly, statewide, adult whites 
complete a median of 12.5 years of school but adult blacks and 
hispanics complete a median of only 12.1 and 8.8 years of school, 
respectively. [1980 Census of Population - Texas Section 1 Tables 76 at 
45-126 and 86 at 45-143]. 

OBJECTION TO REQUEST NO. 22:   

(Same as Objection to Request No. 11) 

REQUEST NO. 23: 
  

There is a disparity in income in Texas based upon race and 
ethnicity, According to the 1980 census,2 the mean and median 
incomes for families in Texas are: 

White Black Spanish Origin 
Median $20,955 $13,042 $4,631 
Mean $24,782 $15,573 $6,531 
[1980 Census of Population - Texas Section 1 Tables 81 at 45-136 and 
91 at 45-148) 

OBJECTION TO REQUEST NO. 23:   

(Same as Objection to Request No. 11) 

  

Adult is defined as twenty five years and olders. 
The 1980 census uses income figures gathered in 1979. 

-11-  



  

p > 
hence » 

REQUEST NO. 24: 
  

According to the 1980 Census, in Texas! 8.4% of white families 

have incomes that fall below the poverty guidelines. In contrast, 24.2% 

of black families and 24.7% of Spanish origin families have incomes that 

fall below the poverty guidelines. In addition, black and Spanish origin 

indigent families have incomes that fall further below the poverty 

guidelines than do white indigent families. The mean income deficit for 

white indigent families is $3,191.00 but for black and Spanish origin 

indigent families it is $3,264.00 and $3,705.00 respectively. [1980 

Census of Population-Texas Section 1 Tables 82 at 45-138 and 104 at 

45-161]. 

OBJECTION TO REQUEST NO. 24: 
  

(Same as Objection to Request No. 11) 

Dated: January 17, 1989 

  

The 1980 census uses income figures gathered in 1979. 

-12% 

 



% : 2 » 3 = » 

  

Respectfully submitted, 

JIM MATTOX : 
Attorney General of Texas 

MARY F. KELLER 

First Assistant Attorney General 

se fee 
Special Assistant Attorney General 

  

JAVIER GUAJARDO 
Assistant Attorney General 

P. O. Box 12548 

Austin, Texas 78711-2548 

(512) 463-2085 

ATTORNEYS FOR DEFENDANTS - — — 

ge 

 



  

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS 
MIDLAND-ODESSA DIVISION 

LULAC Council No. 4434, et al.s§ 
Plaintiffs, 

VS. 
CIVIL ACTION NO. 
MO-88-~CA-154 WILLIAM CLEMENTS, et al. 

- Defendants. 

L
o
u
w
»
 

TO: Defendants WILLIAM CLEMENTS, JIM MATTOX, JACK RAINS, THOMAS R. PHILLIPS, JOHN F. ONION, JR., RON CHAPMAN, THOMAS J. STOVALL, JR., JAMES F. CLAWSON, JR., JOE E. KELLY, JOE B. EVINS, SAM B. PAXSON, WELDON KIRK, CHARLES J. MURRAY, RAY D. ANDERSON and JOE SPURLOCK, in care of Renea Hicks, Special Assistant Attorney General, Pp. O. Box 12548, Captiol Station, Austin, TX 78711-2548. 

PLAINTIFFS' FIRST REQUEST FOR 
ADMISSIONS 

1. Plaintiffs, by their attorneys, pursuant to Rules 
26 and 36 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, request 
the Defendants, or any officer, agent or employee of 
Defendants who has such information as is available, to admit 
Or deny in writing and under oath, each and every one of the 
following requests for admission within thirty (30) days 
after service. These requests for admission are continuing 
to the extent required by Rule 26(e), Federal Rules of Civil 
Procedure. 

2. Unless otherwise stated, the terms "identify," 
"identity" or "identification" mean when used in reference 
to: 

 



  

— “« 2  H ~ 

A natural person, his or her: 

1. full name; 

2 Present or last known home and business 
address, including street name and number, 
city or town and state; 

3. Present or last known home and business 

telephone number; and 

4, present or last known Position, job title and 
job description. 

A company, corporation, association, partnership, 
joint venture, or any legal entity other than a 
natural person, its: 

1. full name and type of organization or entity; 
2 address of Principal place of business; and 
3. business telephone number. 

A document, its: 

1. date and title; 

2. author; 

3. addressee; 

4. a precise description of the contents thereof; 

and 

5e the identity of the Person having possession 

of the document. 

An election, the: 

1. date; 

 



  

i ne’ : Sow! » 

2. type of election, specifically state, county, 

city, primary election, general election, or 

referendum; 

3. identity of the Person having possession of 

the official returns by precinct. 

3. The terms, "document" or "documents" mean all 
writing of any kind (including the originals and all non- 
identical copies, whether different from the original by 
reason of any notation made on such copies or otherwise), 
regardless of their origin or location, including without 
limitation, correspondence, memoranda, notes, diaries, 
statistics, letters, telegrams, minutes, contracts, reports, 
studies, applications and Proposals for federal and state 
financial assistance, checks, statements, receipts, returns, 
summaries, pamphlets, books, charts, maps, interoffice and 
intraoffice communications, notations of any sort of 
conversations, bulletins, Printed matter, computer printouts, 
teletypes, telefax, worksheets and drafts, alterations, 
modifications, changes, and amendments of RY of the 
foregoing, graphic or aural records or representations of any 
kind (including without limitation, Photographs, charts, 
graphs, microfiche, videotapes, recordings, motion pictures) 
and electronic, mechanical or electric records or 
representations of any kind (including without limitation, 
tapes, cassettes, mag cards, disks, and recordings). 

4. The term "all documents" means every document as 

 



  

i - Me Ss 

' 

above defined known to you and every such document which can 
be located or discovered by reasonably diligent efforts. 

5 If a request is made for the identification of 
documents which are no longer in your Possession or subject 
to your control, state when and what disposition was made of 
them. 

6. The term "person" means any natural person, 
corporation, partnership, Proprietorship, association, 
organization or group of natural persons. 

7. he “terms "you" or "your" mean the Defendants and 
all other persons acting or purporting to act on their 
behalf. 

8. The term "City" refers to the Defendant, the City 
of Cuero. 

9. The term "combined minority" means the black and 
hispanic population. 

10. The term "polarized voting" has the meaning given 
to it by the United States Supreme Court in Thornbird v. 

  

Gingles, 478 U. S. 30 (1986) . 

11. The term "ED" means Census Enumeration District. 
12. If a request is made for the identification of 

documents which are no longer in your Possession or subject 
to your control, state when and what disposition was made of 
them. 

13. For each request for admission which you refuse to 
answer on the grounds of Privilege (the tern "privilege" 

 



  

pA og?” . x Nov a 

includes work product) : 

a. state the nature of the Privilege and the 

basis upon which the claim of Privilege is 

made; and 

b. in addition, if the claim of Privilege is 

asserted with regard to a document, a precise 

description of the contents of the documents. 

ADMISSION NO. 1 
  

Venue is proper in federal court in the Western District of 
Texas, Midland/Odessa division. 

ADMIT DENY 

ADMISSION NO. 2 
  

Texas has 375 district courts. [Texas Judicial System Annual 
Report (1987) at 10]. 

ADMIT DENY 

ADMISSION NO. 3 
  

District courts are trials courts of general subject-matter 
jurisdiction. [Texas Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann. art. 1906, 1907, 
1908, 1909, 1913, 1914]. 

— ADMIT it pENY 
ADMISSION NO. 4 
  

Candidates for the position of district judge must be elected 
by a majority of votes cast in the relevant election. 

ADMIT DENY 

 



  

pai vd P s Swed ® 

t 

ADMISSION NO. 5 
  

Candidates for the position of district judge must file to 

run for a particular numbered district court. This is the 
equivalent of a numbered post system. 

— ADMIT LL Li DENY 
ADMISSION NO. 6 
  

A numbered post system often highlights or exacerbates the 
issue of a candidate's race or ethnicity. 

ADMIT DENY 

ADMISSION NO. 7 
  

All district court judges are elected at- large from the 

judicial district in which they run. 

ADMIT DENY 

ADMISSION NO. 8 
  

In Texas, each district judge must be a citizen of the United 

States and of Texas, licensed to practice law in Texas, and 

have been a practicing lawyer or judge of a court in Texas, 

or both combined, for four Years preceding the election. 

[Texas Constitution Article 5, Section 7). 

ADMIT DENY 

ADMISSION NO. 9 
  

Each district judge in Texas must reside in the ‘district in 
which he was elected for two years preceding his election and 

must reside in his district during his term of office. 
[Texas Constitution Article 5, Section 7), 

ADMIT DENY 

 



  

” » Y @ rp iad he 

) 

ADMISSION NO. 10 
  

District court judges in the State of Texas serve four year 

terms. [Texas Constitution Article 5, Section 7] 

ADMIT DENY 

ADMISSION NO. 11 
  

Candidates for district court in the State of Texas run in 

party primaries. If no candidate receives the majority of 

votes, the top two candidates compete in a run-off election. 

Then, candidates compete in the general election. 

LL ADMIT DENY 

ADMISSION NO. 12 
  

Although the governor has authority to appoint an attorney to 

the Judicial Districts Board, he has yet to do so. [Texas 

Judicial System Annual Report (1987) at 69]. 

2 ADMIT oo - DENY 

ADMISSION NO. 13. 
  

Each judicial district in Texas contains one or more complete 

counties. In other words, no judicial district is smaller in 

size than an entire county. [See Texas Government Code 

Section 24.945(c)]. 

_ ADMIT DENY 

ADMISSION NO. 14: 
  

This lawsuit challenges the following judicial districts for 

district courts: 

Harris County 11th, 55th, 61st, 80th, 113th, 125th, 
127th, 129th, 133rd, 151st, 152nd, 157th, 164th, 165th, 
174th, 176th, 177th, 178th, 179th, 180th, 182nd, 183rd, 
184th, 185th, 189th, 190th, 208th, 209th, 215th, 228th, 

  

7 

 



230th, 232nd, 234th, 245th, 246th, 247th, 248th, 262nd, 263rd, 269th, 270th, 280th, 281st, 295th, 309th, 310th, 311th, 312th, 313th, 314th, 315th, 334th, 337th, 338th, 339th, 351st. 

Dallas County 14th, 44th, 68th, 95th, 101st, 134th, 160th, 162nd, 191st, 192nd, 193rq4, 194th, 203rd, 204th, 254th, 255th, 256th, 265th, 282nd, 291st, 292nd, 298th, 301st, 302nd, 303rd, 304th, 330th; Criminal District 1, 2¢r.3, 4, 5, 

  

Ector County 70th, 161st, 244th, 358th.   

McLennan County 19th, 54th, 74th, 170th.   

Tarrant County 17th, 48th, 67th, 96th, 141st, 153rd, 213th, 231st, 233rd, 236th, 297th, 322nd, 323rd, 324th, 325th, 342nd, 348th, 352nd,- 360th; Criminal District 1, 2:3, 4. 

  

Midland County 142nd, 238th, 318th.   

Travis County 53rd, 98th, 126th, 147th, 167th, 200th, 201st, 250th, 261st, 299th, 331st, 345th, 353rq. 

  

Jefferson County 58th, 60th, 136th, 172nd, 252n4, 279th, 
  

317th; Criminal District 

Galveston County 10th, 56th, 122nd, 212th, 306th 
  

Lubbock County 72nd, 99th, 137th, 140th, 237th 
  

Fort Bend County 240th, 268th, 328th   

Smith County 7th, 114th, 241st, 321st   

Brazos County 85th, 272nd 36lst.   

Brazoria County 23rd, 149th, 239th, 300th.   

Taylor County 42nd, 104th, 326th, 350th   

Wichita County 30th, 78th, 89th.   

Angelina County 159th, 217th.   

Gregg County 124th, 188th, 307th.   

Bell County 27th, 146th, 169th, 264th.   

and also 
   



  

% 
" y 

| 

81st, 218th, 36th, 156th, 343rd, 22n4, 207th, 24th, 135th, 267th, 64th, 242n4, 34th, 205th, 210th. 

ADMIT DENY 

  

ADMISSION NO. 15 
  

types of cases. [Texas Government Code Section 24.309]. 
ADMIT DENY 

    

ADMISSION NO. 16 
  

Texas does not have a single member district system for the 
election of district court judges. 

ADMIT DENY 

    

ADMISSION NO. 17 
  

There is ga history of discrimination on the basis of race and 
ethnicity throughout the State of Texas. LULAC v. Midland 

  ISD, 648 F. Supp. 596, 600, 613-21 (w. Dp. Tex. 1986), aff'g 
in relevant part, 829 F.2d 546 (5th Cir. 1987); Extension of 
  

the Voting Rights Act of 1965; Testimony of G. Korbel, c. 
Cotrell. Hearings before the Subcommittee on Consitutional 
Rights of the Committee on the Judiciary, United States 
Senate (94th Congress 1st Session)on §. 407, S. 903, s. 1279, 
S. 1409 and s. 1443 (April 8, 9,110,232, 29, 30 and May 1, 
1979). | 

ADMIT DENY 

    

ADMISSION NO. 18 
  

Since 1976, the State of Texas has been covered by Section 5 
of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which requires preclearance 

9 

 



  

Columbia. 

ADMIT 
DENY 

    

ADMISSION NO. 19 
  

In Texas, no law school accepted any black students until the 

segregated facility. ‘The State had no integrated law school that blacks ang whites could attend together until 1950, when required to do so by the United States Supreme Court. Sweatt 
V. Painter, 339 U. S. 629 (1950).   

ADMIT 
DENY 

    

ADMISSION NO. 20 
  

Throughout Texas, social stratification based on race and 
ethnicity exists. 

ADMIT 
DENY 

    

ADMISSION NO. 21 
  

In Texas, blacks and hispanics are minority groups. 
According to the 1980 census, the Population of Texas is 
14,229,191, There are 1,704,741 blacks and 2,982,583 persons 
of Spanish origin. [1980 Census of Population - Texas Section 1 Tables. 5g at 45-11, 58 at 45-31, 59 at 45-59], 

ADMIT DENY 

    

ADMISSION NO. 22 
  

According to the 1980 census, there is educational disparity 
based upon race and ethnicity in Texas. Although 65.7% of 

10 

 



  

 t Se’ ~ ’ hated 

adultl whites complete high school, only 53.0% of adult 
blacks and 35.5% of adult hispanics complete high school. 
Similarly, statewide, adult whites complete a median of 12.5 

126 and 86 at 45-143]. 

ADMIT : DENY 

    

ADMISSION NO. 23 
  

There is disparity in income in Texas based upon race and 
ethnicity. According to the 1980 census, ?2 the mean ang 
median incomes for families in Texas are: 

White Black Spanish Origin 
Median $20,955 $13,042 $4,631 
Mean $24,782 $15,573 $6,531 
[1980 Census of Population - Texas Section 1 Tables 81 at 45- 
136 and 91 at 45-148] 

ADMIT DENY 

    

ADMISSION NO. 24 
  

According to the 1980 Census, in Texas3 8.43% of white 
families have incomes that fall below the poverty guidelines. 
In contrast, 24.2% of black families and 24.7% of Spanish 
  

3The 1980 census uses income figures gathered in 1979, 

11 

 



  

jb, TO 
x} ® = : g 

origin families have incomes that fall below the poverty guidelines. In addition, black and Spanish origin indigent 

ADMIT 
DENY 

CE —— 

Dated: December 15, 1988 

  

Respectfully submitted: 

ROLANDO RIOS 
Attorney at Law 
Southwest Voter Registration and Education Project, Inc. 201 N. St. Mary's, Suite 521 San Antonio, Texas 78205 State Bar No. 16935900 (512) 222-2102 

WILLIAM C. GARRETT 
BRENDA HULL THOMPSON 
Garrett, Thompson & Chang Attorneys at Law 
8300 Douglas, suite 800 Dallas, Texas 75225 
State Bar No. 07700000 (214) 369-1952 

12 

 



SUSAN FINKELSTEIN 
Attorney at Law 
Texas Rural Legal Aid, Inc. 201 N. St. Mary's, Suite 600 San Antonio, Texas 78205 State Bar No. 07015500 (512) 222-2478 

ee Fh bation 
/ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF 
  

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE 

I certify that I have delivered by certified mail, return receipt requested, a true and correct Copy of this Plaintiffs' First Request for Admissions to Renea Hicks, Special Assistant Attorney General, P. 0. Box 12548, Capitol Station, Austin, TX 78711-2548 on December 15, 1988, 

SUSAN FINKELSTEIN 

 



  

8 : | # rE iy —t 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 
WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS 
MIDLAND/ODESSA DIVISION 

LULAC COUNCIL #4434, et al., 

Plaintiffs, 

VS. Civil Action No. 

MO 88 CA 154 
WILLIAM CLEMENTS, et al., 

Defendants. CO
? 

CO
P 

CO
P 

LO
O 

CO
% 

LO
H 

LO
» 

DEFENDANTS' ANSWERS TO PLAINTIFFS' FIRST SET OF 
INTERROGATORIES : 

The defendants in this action answer as follows to Plaintiffs’ 

First Set of Interrogatories, served on August 8, 1988: 

Answer to Interrocatory No. 1 
  

Except for information about the race/ethnicity of the judges, 

which is -unavailable, pursuant to Rule 33(c), Federal Rules of Civil 

Procedure, the defendants designate the records themselves. These 

records may be reviewed during regular business hours at the 

Elections Division of the Texas Secretary of State, which is located on 

the 9th Rloor Sam Houston State Office Building, Austin, Texas. (For 

brevity, the rest of these answers, as well as the Responses to 

Plaintiffs’ First Request for Production of Documents and Things, will 

refer to these offices as the "Secretary of State's offices.") 

Answer to Interrooatory No. 2 
  

This information is available at the Secretary of State's offices. 

Answer _to_Interrooatory No. 3 
  

See §2.001 of the Texas Election Code for the response to this 

legal question. 

 



  

oo _ . @ 

Answer to Interrogatorv No. 4 
  

None exists at this time. 

Answer to Interrogatory No. 5   

This question really cannot be answered. First, there is 

uncertainty at this point about what is relevant to this case. Second, 

because the case touches on such broad political and social questions, 

the number of people with potentially relevant information is 

virtually limitless. 

Answer to _Interrogatorv No. 6 
  

James A. Hensarling, an attorney with the Elections Division of 

the Office of the Secretary of State, along with several other 

members of the Elections Division staff, assisted in the preparation of 

these answers and the responses to the document production 

request. Mr. Hensarling's address is P. O. Box 12060, Austin, Texas 

78711, and his telephone number is (512) 463-5650. 

~ -_ -—— \ Tmt 
Renea Hicks 
Special Assistant Attorney General 

  
  

P. O. Box 12548, Capitol Station 
Austin, Texas 78711-2548 
(512) 463-2085 

 



  

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS 

MIDLAND-ODESSA DIVISION 

LULAC Council No. 4434, et al.s§ 
Plaintiffs, § 

§ 
VS. 

§ CIVIL ACTION NO. 
§ MO-88~-CA-154 

WILLIAM CLEMENTS, et al. § 
Defendants. § 

TO: Defendants WILLIAM CLEMENTS, JIM MATTOX, JACK RAINS, THOMAS R. PHILLIPS, JOHN F. ONION, JR., RON CHAPMAN, THOMAS J. STOVALL, JR., JAMES F. CLAWSON, JR., JOE E. KELLY, JOE B. EVINS, SAM B. PAXSON, WELDON KIRK, CHARLES J. MURRAY, RAY D. ANDERSON and JOE SPURLOCK, each at his correct address. 

PLAINTIFFS' FIRST SET OF INTERROGATORIES 

Plaintiffs, by their attorneys, pursuant to Rules 33 and 

36 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, request the 

Defendants, or any officer, agent or: employee of Defendants 

who has such information as is available, to answer in 

writing and under oath, each and every one of the following 

interrogatories within forty five (45) days after service. 

These interrogatories shall be deemed continuing to the 

extent required by Rule 26 (e), Federal Rules of Civil 

Procedure. 

As used herein, widentifry,” "identity" or 

"identification" means when used in reference to: 

 



[ 
. 

\ i 

  

A. A natural person, his or her: 

1. full name; 

2. present or last known home and business 

address, including street name and number, 

city or town and state; 

3. telephone number; and 

4. present or last known position, job title and 

job description. 

B. A company, corporation, association, partnership, 

joint venture, or any legal entity other than a 

natural person, its: 

1x full name and type of organization or entity; 

2. address of principal place of business; and 

3. telephone number. 

Cs A document, its: 

1. date and title; 

2 author; 

3. addressee; 

4. a precise description of its contents; and 

5a. the identity of the person having possession 

of the document. 

D. An election, the: 

1. date; 

2. type of election, specifically state, county, 

city, primary election, general election, or 

referendum; and 

 



      

3 identity of the person having possession of 

the official returns by precinct. 

As used in these interrogatories, "document" or 

"documents" means all writing of any kind (including the 

originals and all non-identical copies, whether different 

from the original by reason of any notation made on such 

copies or otherwise), regardless of their origin or location, 

including without limitation, correspondence, memoranda, 

notes, diaries, statistics, letters, telegrams, minutes, 

contracts, reports, studies, applications and proposals for 

federal and state financial assistance, checks, statements, 

receipts, returns, summaries, pamphlets, books, charts, maps, 

interoffice and intraoffice communications, notations of any 

sort of conversations, bulletins, printed matter, computer 

Printouts, teletypes, telefax, worksheets and drafts, 

alterations, modifications, changes, and amendments of any of 

the foregoing, graphic or aural records or representations of 

any kind (including without limitation, photographs, charts, 

graphs, microfiche, videotapes, recordings, motion pictures) 

and electronic, mechanical or electric records or 

representations of any kind (including without limitation, 

tapes, cassettes, mag cards, disks, and recordings). 

The term "all documents" means every document as above 

defined known to you and every such document which can be 

located or discovered by reasonably diligent efforts. 

The term "person" means any natural person, corporation, 

 



  

partnership, proprietorship, association, organization or 

group of natural persons. 

As used herein, "you" or "your" means the Defendants and 

all other persons acting or purporting to act on their 

behalf. 

If a request is made for the identification of documents 

which are no longer in your possession or subject to your 

control, state when and what disposition was made of them. 

For each interrogatory, Or part of an interrogatory, 

which you refuse to answer on the grounds of privilege 

(privilege shall include work product) : 

a. state the nature of the privilege and the 

basis upon which the claim of privilege is 

made; and 

b. in addition, if the claim of privilege is 

asserted with regard to a document, a precise 

description of the contents of the documents. 

INTERROGATORY NO. 1 
  

Please list by name, address, judicial district, 

race/ethnicity, if known, and officer who made the 

appointment, each district court judge who has been appointed 

to office in the past twenty (20) years: 

All district courts in the following counties: 

Harris Lubbock 
Dallas Fort Bend 
Ector Smith 
McClennan Brazos 

 



  

x 
» won? 

pe 

Tarrant Brazoria 
Midland Taylor 
Travis Wichita 
Jefferson Angelina 
Galveston Gregg 

Bell 

and the judicial district for district courts numbered: 

81,218, 36, 156,343, 22, 207, 24, 135, 267, 64, 242, 

34, #205, 210. 

INTERROGATORY NO. 2 
  

Please state in which year the next election will be 

held for district judge in each of the following districts: 

All district courts in the following counties: 

Harris Lubbock 
Dallas Fort Bend 
Ector Smith 
McClennan Brazos 
Tarrant Brazoria 
Midland Taylor 
Travis Wichita 
Jefferson Angelina 
Galveston Gregg 

Bell 

and the judicial district for district courts numbered: 

81, 213, 36, 156, 343, 22, 207, 24,135,267, 64, 242, 

34, "205, 210. 

INTERROGATORY NO. 3 
  

Please state whether candidates for the ‘position of 

district judge must be elected by a majority of votes cast in 

the relevant election. 

INTERROGATORY NO. 4 
  

Please identify by name, address, telephone number, 

 



  

“ 

N 

Sn. Py 
- / . 4 bids. 

place of employment, job position and/or title and nature of 

testimony any expert witness who may testify on your behalf 

should this case go to trial. 

INTERROGATORY NO. 5 
  

Please identify by name, address, telephone number, 

place of employment, job position and/or title and nature of 

information any person known to you who has knowledge or 

information relevant to this case. 

INTERROGATORY NO. 6 
  

Please identify by name, address, telephone number and 

job position and/or title each person who assisted in the 

preparation of the Defendants' answers to Plaintiffs’ 

Interrogatories and Plaintiffs’ Request for Production of 

Documents and Things. 

Respectfully submitted: 

ROLANDO RIOS 

Attorney at Law 
Southwest Voter Registration 

and Education Project, Inc. 
201 N. St. Mary's, Suite 521 
San Antonio, Texas 78205 
State Bar No. 16935900 
(512) 222-2102 

WILLIAM C. GARRETT 
BRENDA HULL THOMPSON 
Garrett, Thompson & Chang 
Attorneys at Law 
8300 Douglas, Suite 800 
Dallas, Texas 75225 
State Bar No. 07700000 
(214) 369-1952 

 



    

= : : » ie . oA 

  

SUSAN FINKELSTEIN 
Attorney at Law 
Texas Rural Legal Aid, Inc. 
201 N. St. Mary's, Suite 600 
San Antonio, Texas 78205 
State Bar No. 07015500 
(512) 222-2478 

BY 
ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF 
  

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE 
  

I, Rolando Rios , do hereby certify that a true and correct 

copy of Plaintiffs' First Set of Interrogatories has been 

mailed via certified mail to William Clements, Jim Mattox, 

Jack Rains, Thomas R. Phillips, “John F. Onion, Jr., Ron 

Chapman, Thomas J. Stovall, Jr., James F. Clawson, Jr. , Joe 

E. Kelly, Joe B. Evins, Sam B. Paxson, Weldon Kirk, Charles 

J. Murray, Ray D. Anderson, and Joe Spurlock each at his 

correct address on this day of + 1983. 
  

  

ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF 

 



  

: j | » 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 
WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS 
MIDLAND/ODESSA DIVISION 

LULAC COUNCIL #4434, et al., 

Plaintiffs, 

VS. Civil Action No. 

MO 88 CA 154 
WILLIAM CLEMENTS, et al., 

Defendants. CO
” 

L
O
 

CO
” 

LO
M 

LO
R 

LO
» 

LO
N 

DEFENDANTS' RESPONSES TO PLAINTIFFS' FIRST REQUEST 
FOR PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS AND THINGS 

The defendants in this action respond as follows to Plaintiffs’ 

First Request for Production of Documents and Things, served on 

August 8, 1988. When a designation is made that the information is 

available at a particular place, there is no intention to guarantee that 

all the information requested will be available at that place; instead, 

the intended representation is that, to the extent the information is 

available anywhere within the defendants’ care, custody, or control, 

it is available in the designated place. 

Response to Request No. 1 
  

This information is available in past and present compilations 

of Texas statutes. 

Response to Request No. 2 
i   

This information may be reviewed during regular business 

hours at the Secretary of State's offices. 

Response to_Request No. 3 
  

See Response to Request No. 2. 

 



f 

  

Response to Request No. 4 
  

This information is not available. 

Response to Request No. 5 
  

See Response to Request No. 

Response to Request No. 6 
  

See Response to Request No. 

Response to Request No. 7 
  

See Response to Request No. 

Response to Request No. 8 
  

See Response to Request No. 

Response to Request No. 9 
  

See Response to Request No. 

Response to Request No. 10 
  

None exists at this time. 

Response to Request No. 11 
  

See Response to Request No. 

Dated: October 26, 1988 

  

4, 

10. 

    Weel 
Renea Hicks 

Special Assistant Attorney General 

P. O. Box 12548, Capitol Station 
Austin, Texas 78711-2548 
(512) 463-2085



  

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS 

MIDLAND-ODESSA DIVISION 

LULAC Council No. 4434, et al.s§ 
Plaintiffs, § 

) § 
‘vs. § CIVIL ACTION NO. 

§ MO-88-CA-154 
WILLIAM CLEMENTS, et al. § 

Defendants. § 

TO: Defendants WILLIAM CLEMENTS, JIM MATTOX, JACK RAINS, THOMAS ‘R. PHILLIPS, JOHN F. ONION, JR., RON CHAPMAN, THOMAS J. STOVALL, JR., JAMES F. CLAWSON, JR., JOE E. KELLY, JOE B. EVINS, SAM B. PAXSON, WELDON K1RK, CHARLES J. MURRAY, RAY D. ANDERSON and JOE SPURLOCK, each at his correct address. 

PLAINTIFFS' FIRST REQUEST FOR PRODUCTION OF 
DOCUMENTS AND THINGS 

Plaintiffs, by their attorneys, pursuant to Rules 34 and 

36 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, request the 

Defendants, or any officer, agent or employee of Defendants 

who has such information as is available, to answer in 

writing and under oath, each and every one of the following 

requests within forty five (45) days after service. These 

requests shall be deemed continuing to the extent required by 

Rule 26 (e), Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Futhermore, 

please produce any requested documents as they are kept in 

the normal course of business or organize and label them to 

 



  

correspond with the categories in this request. 

As used herein, identify," "identity" or 

"identification" means when used in reference to: 

A. A natural person, his or her: 

1. full name; 

2. present or last known home and business 

address, including street name and number, 

city or town and state; 

3. telephone number: and 

4. present or last known position, job title and 

job description. 

B. A company, corporation, association, partnership, 

joint venture, or any legal entity other than a 

natural person, its: 

l. full name and type of organization or entity; 

2 telephone number; and 

3. address of principal place of business. 

CQ. ‘A document, its: 

1. date and title; 

2. author; 

3. addressee; 

4. a precise description of its contents; and 

5. the identity of the person having possession 

of the document. 

Da. An election, the: 

I. date; 

 



      

2. type of election, specifically state, county, 

city, primary election, general election, or 

referendum; and 

3. identity of the person having possession of 

the official returns by precinct. 

As used in this Request, "document" or "documents" means 

all writings of any kind (including the originals and all 

non-identical copies, whether different from the original by 

reason of any notation made on such copies or otherwise), 

regardless of their origin or location, including without 

limitation, correspondence, memoranda, notes, diaries, 

statistics, letter, telegrams, minutes, contracts, reports, 

studies, applications and proposals for federal and state 

financial assistance, checks, statements, receipts, returns, 

summaries, pamphlets, books, charts, maps, interoffice and 

intraoffice communications, notations of any sort of 

conversations, bulletins, printed matter, computer printouts, 

teletypes, telefax, worksheets and drafts, alterations, 

modifications, changes, and amendments of any Of the 

foregoing, graphic or aural records or representations of any 

kind (including without limitation, photographs, charts, 

graphs, microfiche, videotapes, recordings, motion pictures) 

and electronic, mechanical Or electric records or 

representations of any kind (including without limitation, 

tapes, cassettes, mag cards, disks, and recordings). 

The term "all documents" means every document as above 

 



  

® mr 
SN. A 

defined known to you and every such document which can be 

located or discovered by reasonably diligent efforts. 

The term "person" means any natural person, corporation, 

partnership, proprietorship, association, organization or 

group of natural persons. 

As used in this Request, "you" or "your" means the 

Defendants and all other persons acting or purporting to act 

on their behalf. 

If a request is made for the identification of documents 

which are no longer in your possession or subject to your 

control, state when and what disposition was made of them. 

For each Request, or part of a Request, which you refuse 

to answer on the grounds of privilege (privilege shall 

include work product): 

a. state the nature of the privilege and the 

basis upon which the claim of privilege is 

made; and 

b. in addition, if the claim of privilege is 

asserted with regard to a document, a precise 

description of the contents of the documents. 

REQUEST NO. 1 
  

Please provide copies of documents that accurately show 

the boundaries and district numbers of the judicial districts 

for the past twenty (20) years for the following district 

Courts: 

All district courts in the following counties: 

 



  

Harris 

Dallas 

Ector 

McClennan 

Tarrant 

Midland 

Travis 

Jefferson 

Galveston 

Lubbock 

Fort Bend 

Smith 

Brazos 

Brazoria 

Taylor 

Wichita 

Angelina 
Gregg 

Bell 

and the judicial district for district courts numbered: 

Bl, 218,36, 156, 

34, 205, 210. 

REQUEST NO. 2 
  

207, 24, 135, 267, 64, 242, 

Please provide copies of documents that accurately show 

the boundaries of voting precincts used in elections of 

district court judges for the past twenty (20) years in the 

following judicial districts: 

All district courts in the following counties: 

Harris 
Dallas 

Ector 

McClennan 

Tarrant 

Midland 

Travis 

Jefferson 

Galveston 

Lubbock 

Fort Bend 

Smith 

Brazos 

Brazoria 

Taylor 

Wichita 

Angelina 
Gregg 

Bell 

and the judicial district for district courts numbered: 

81, 218, 36, 156, 

34, 205,721.10. 

REQUEST NO. 3 
  

207, 24,.:1135, 267, 64, 242, 

Please provide copies of documents showing the name and 

address at time of candidacy of each candidate for the 

 



  

® | a 

position of district judge for the past twenty (20) years in 

each of the following districts: 

All district courts in the following counties: 

Harris Lubbock 
Dallas Fort Bend 
Ector Smith 
McClennan Brazos 
Tarrant Brazoria 
Midland Taylor 
Travis Wichita 
Jefferson Angelina 
Galveston Gregg 

Bell 

and the judicial district for district courts numbered: 

Bl, 7218, 36, .156,. 343, 22, 207, 24, 135, 267, 64, 242, 

34, 205, 210. 

REQUEST NO. 4 
  

Please provide election returns for the past twenty (20) 

years by precinct for the position of district judge in each 

election in which a minority ran as a candidate in each of 

the following districts: 

All district courts in the following counties: 

Harris Lubbock 
Dallas Fort Bend 
Ector Smith 
McClennan Brazos 
Tarrant Brazoria 
Midland Taylor 
Travis Wichita 
Jefferson Angelina 
Galveston Gregg 

Bell 

and the judicial district for district courts numbered: 

Bl, 218,.36,>156, 343, 224::207,. 24,135, 267, 64, 242, 

34,/°:205, 210, 

 



  

REQUEST NO. 5 
  

Please provide election returns for the past twenty (20) 

years by county for the position of district judge in each 

election in which a minority ran as a candidate in each of 

the following districts: 

All district courts in the following counties: 

Harris Lubbock 
Dallas Fort Bend 
Ector Smith 
McClennan Brazos 
Tarrant Brazoria 
Midland Taylor 
Travis Wichita 
Jefferson Angelina 
Galveston Gregg 

Bell 

and the judicial district for district courts numbered: 

81, 218, 36,156, 343, 22, 207, 24, 135,267, 64, 242, 

34,205,210. 

REQUEST NO. 6 
  

Please provide documents that show the name and address 

at the time of election of each person elected to the 

position of district court judge in the following districts 

in the past twenty (20) years: 

All district courts in the following counties: 

Harris Lubbock 
Dallas Fort Bend 
Ector Smith 
McClennan Brazos 
Tarrant Brazoria 
Midland Taylor 
Travis Wichita 
Jefferson Angelina 
Galveston Gregg 

Bell 

 



  

and the judicial district for district courts numbered: 

81, 218, 36, 156, 343, 22,"207, 24,4135, 267, 64, 242, 

34, 205,210. 

REQUEST NO. 7 
  

Please provide copies of documents, including but not 

limited to campaign financial disclosure reports, that show 

the race/ethnicity of each candidate for the position of 

district judge in the past twenty (20) years in the following 

judicial districts: 

All district courts in the following counties: 

Harris Lubbock 
Dallas Fort Bend 
Ector Smith 
McClennan Brazos 
Tarrant Brazoria 
Midland Taylor 
Travis Wichita 
Jefferson Angelina 
Galveston Gregg 

Bell 

and the judicial district for district courts numbered: 

81, 218,36, 156, 343, 224.207, 24, 135, 267, 64, 242, 

34,205,210. 

REQUEST NO. 8 
  

Please provide copies of documents that show the 

race/ethnicity of each district judge in the past twenty (20) 

years in the following judicial districts: 

All district courts in the following counties: 

Harris Lubbock 
Dallas Fort Bend 
Ector Smith 
McClennan Brazos 
Tarrant Brazoria 

 



  

Midland Taylor 
Travis Wichita 
Jefferson Angelina 
Galveston Gregg 

Bell 

and the judicial district for district courts numbered: 

81, 218, 36,2156, 343, 22, 207,324, 135, 267, 64, 242, 

34, 205,210. 

REQUEST NO. 9 
  

Please provide copies of documents that show the number 

of registered voters by race/ethnicity for each election in 

which a minority candidate ran in the following judicial 

districts for the past twenty (20) years: 

All district courts in the following counties: 

Harris Lubbock 
Dallas Fort Bend 
Ector Smith 
McClennan Brazos 
Tarrant Brazoria 
Midland Taylor 
Travis Wichita 
Jefferson Angelina 
Galveston Gregg 

: Bell 

and the judicial district for district courts numbered: 

81," 218,36, 156, 343, 22, 207, .24, 135, 267, 64, 242, 

34, 205,210, 

REQUEST NO. 10 
  

Please provide copies of any documents that you have 

provided to any experts who may testify on your behalf in 

this case. 

 



* - 

: 
p 

: 

i 

Pos AW 

  

REQUEST NO. 11 
  

Please provide copies of any written reports that any 

experts have provided to you for this case. 

Respectfully submitted: 

ROLANDO RIOS 
Attorney at Law 
Southwest Voter Registration 

and Education Project, Inc. 
201 N. St. Mary's, Suite 521 
San Antonio, Texas 78205 
State Bar No. 16935900 
(512) 222-2102 

WILLIAM C. GARRETT 
BRENDA HULL THOMPSON 
Attorneys at Law 
Garrett, Thompson & Chang 
8300 Douglas, Suite 800 
Dallas, Texas 75225 
State Bar No. 07700000 
(214) 369-1952 

SUSAN FINKELSTEIN 

Attorney at Law 
Texas Rural Legal Aid, Inc. 
201 N. St. Mary's, Suite 600 
San Antonio, Texas 78205 
State Bar No. 07015500 
(512) 222-2478 

BY 
ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF 
  

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE 
  

I, Rolando Rios, do hereby certify that a true and correct 

copy of Plaintiffs' First Request for Production of Documents 

and Things has been mailed via certified mail to William 

Clements, Jim Mattox, Thomas R. Phillips, Jack Rains, John F. 

10 

 



  

a Fa » 

. 

gk 

op 

Onion, Jr., Ron Chapman, Thomas J. Stovall, Jr., James F. 

Clawson, Jr., Joe E. Kelly, Joe B. Evins, Sam B. Paxson, 

Weldon Kirk, Charles J. Murray, Ray D. Anderson, and Joe 

Spurlock each at his correct address on this day of 

L,3:1988, 
  

  

ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF 

11

Copyright notice

This collection and the tools to navigate it (the “Collection”) are available to the public for general educational and research purposes, as well as to preserve and contextualize the history of the content and materials it contains (the “Materials”). Like other archival collections, such as those found in libraries, LDF owns the physical source Materials that have been digitized for the Collection; however, LDF does not own the underlying copyright or other rights in all items and there are limits on how you can use the Materials. By accessing and using the Material, you acknowledge your agreement to the Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the Materials.


Additional info

To the extent that LDF includes information about the Materials’ origins or ownership or provides summaries or transcripts of original source Materials, LDF does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy of such information, transcripts or summaries, and shall not be responsible for any inaccuracies.