Letter from Quigley to Williams RE Update on Reapportionment Challenges; Newspaper Clipping

    LAW OFFICES OF 

QUIGLEY & SC HECKMAN 
631 ST. CHA Ui 

NEW ORLEANS, IANA 70130 

TELEPHO 

WILLIAM P. QUIGLEY IN ASSOCIATION WITH 

STE VEN SCHECKMAN R. JAMES KELLOGG 
February . MARK S. GOLDSTEIN 

Mr. Napoleon B, Williams 

Suite 203( 

10 Columbus Circle 

New York, New York 10019 

Dear Mr. Williams: 

I am writing you to give you an update on the re-apportionment challenges here in 

LLouisiana. 

On Wednesday, January 27, 1982 we held a press conference to announce the filing 

of our objections to the Congressional re-apportionment. There was a great deal of 

news coverage of this. All the local networks carried stories on this at thelr 6:00 

and 10:00 o'clock news programs. The local newspaper carried an article on this. 

(Copy enclosed.) The story was also carried on the wire services and broadcast State- 

wide. 

Governor Treen was very upset when informed that one fF the basis of the objection 

was an analysis of his past antagonism towards civil right: Normally an emotionless 

man, Treen lost his temper and snapped at reporters in dismissing the arguments. 

We have given serious thought to the idea of going to Washington, D.C. and 

presenting our objections to the State House re-apportionment directly to Mr. Reynolds. 

We feel that this is our strongest challenge and, if we had the opportunity to speak 

with him directly, that we could create the best climate for getting an objection out 

of the Justice Department, We would hope that you or Lani could help us arrange the 

meeting and go with us at that time. 

One of the major obstacles in the way of this idea is cost. Locally, our. fund 

against illegal re-apportionment has never really gotten off the ground, and has not 

yet been able to pay any of the costs incurred in this matter. By the time the House 

comment is ready, we anticipate that we will have put out at least $1,000.00 in expenses 

for the preparations of these two comments. Our office is unable to front any more 

expenses like this at this time. We have checked with the Survival Coalition and they 

feel they will be able to pay for Barbara Major to make the trip. We are confident that 

onc of the State Legislators could find the resources to make the trip if you think it 

would he a pood idea for them to come as well, | would appreciate it. if you could sce 

if the Legal Defense Fund could help in this effort. We certainly appreciate the help 

that you have given in making sure that Cordon Henderson will be paid for the work he 

has done. 

We have heard late word from the Justice Department that they are very interested 

in examining the House of Representatives plan, the Congressional plan, and the plan 

for the Senate with an eye toward very possibly opposing these re-apportionment plans.  



Mr. Napoleon B. Williams 

February 3, 1982 

Page 2 

With this in mind, I think the contact between some people from Louisiana and the 

Justice Department is evermore important. 

Thanks for your support in this matter and other matters and I look forward to 

hearing from you. 

Eincbr Sincerely, 
i - 7 
i ol 

. . / 

Jilliam Patrick Quiglgy 

WPQ:mg 

Enclosure 

 



a 

® 
Papers against remap are filed 
by 3 black N.O. lawmakers 
By LOVELL REAULIEU 

Three black New Orleans legislators Wednesday {iled opposition papers in Washington, D.C.. to the reappertionment plan of the U.S. House of Represen- tatives submitted to the U.S Justice Department last month. 
The legislators - Diana Bajoie, Johnny Jackson Jr. and Jon Johnson sald the reapportionment plan adopted by the Louisiana House of Representa- tives dilutes black voting strength, which is a viola- * tion of the 1665 Voting Rights Act that was rec ently extended. 
Jackson was the only one of the three 

present at a news conference 
“We're not saying to guarantee a black district,” he said, “only the opportunity to elect one 
“The issue of fair representation must deal with 

the racial 1Ssue, party politics and whether New 
Orleans gets representation. It seems everybody's 
interest was 

Jackson sand 
The redistricting was taken up in the fast legisla 

legislators 

taken into con aderation but our ow nv 

tive 

William Quigley, one of a team of attorneys along 
with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund representing 
the legislators, labeled the redistricting plan a “Don- 
ald Duck” plan Quigley said a map showing the 
district carved out illustrates the famous cartoon 
character 

“This plan (one submitted by Gov. David C. Treen) 
has both the effect and the intent of diluting black 
voter strength,” Quigley said 

Quigley said Treen's actions were politically moti- 
vated because Rep. Robert Livingston, a Republican 
like the governar, must run for re-election this 
November. He said a black majority district in New 
Orleans would have a negative impact on Living 
ston’s re-election efforts 

“It is important to evaluate this action in light of 
his other political actions.” Quigley said 

Quigley added that the Opposition is not a lawsuit. 
He said the Justice Department will review it and 

session 

  

RRR £29 
has 60 days to determiife whether to accept of refet it. 

In addition to the three legislators, a group known as the Survival Coalition is joining in the opposition. The group, represented by Barbara Major, clzaiihs to represent low- and moderate-income persons. 
Al a news conference Wednesday, Treen was 

asked about the redistricting matter and said, “This is the first I have heard of it.” 
He said he would like to sce the content of the pretest before commenting “but if it is the same allegations as heretofore made, T think it is ground- 

less.” 

  

    

; 
4 

! 

$ 

i