John L. Sehon - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

John L. Sehon was an American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

Democratic politician

Politician

A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...

from California

California

California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

.

Sehon was born c. 1863 in Georgia. He served in the army

United States Army

The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...

as a Captain. Sehon was elected to the city council and set an independent course as a council member. In 1905 "anti-boss" mood with San Diego voters caused them to defeat the Republican candidate and elect retired Captain Sehon, of the Democratic and Independent coalition, as mayor of San Diego, California, which he served until 1907. This defeated the "City Boss" organization of Charles S. Hardy, a successful merchant and leader of the city's most powerful political organization ever.

During his campaign he emphasized the idea that the public owned the water supply and was a leader in a reform movement in his previous service in the city council. A controversy rose during the campaign about whether a retired army officer could legally run for a civil office. Just to make sure there wouldn't be a problem Capt. Sehon disappeared after being elected so court papers couldn't be served on him, and just before midnight when his term began he stole into the mayor's office and proclaimed himself mayor. Court proceedings took place after the fact, where the Superior Court decided against the mayor, but was overruled by the Court of Appeals and California Supreme Court.

While mayor, Sehon vetoed a proposal to give the Southern California Mountain Water Company a monopoly to supply water to San Diego. John D. Spreckels

John D. Spreckels

John Diedrich Spreckels , the son of German-American industrialist Claus Spreckels, founded a transportation and real estate empire in San Diego, California in the late 19th and early 20th centuries...

, of Spreckels Sugar Company

Spreckels Sugar Company

The Spreckels Sugar Company is an American sugar beet refiner that for many years controlled much of the U.S. West Coast refined sugar market. Spreckels Sugar was founded by entrepreneur, industrialist, newspaper publisher, and railroad executive Claus Spreckels in 1881...

, poured money into city council races to overturn the veto.

Later, Sehon was Superintendent of Police in the early 1910s. After a public campaign against prostitution by many prominent citizens, Sehon gave the order on November 1912 to close the "Stingaree District."

See also