Public Service
A Republican, Spence was elected to the California State Assembly from Nevada County in 1860 and was later the treasurer of that county.
On December 5, 1979, Spence was elected to represent the 3rd Ward on the Los Angeles Common Council, the legislative branch of the city government, and he served until December 10, 1881.
He was mayor of the city from December 9, 1884, to December 14, 1886, and under his mayoralty the city reorganized the Police Department and the Fire Department and placed all the personnel on salary. In his final year as mayor, the city retired its last zanja, or open fresh-water ditch.
Read more about this topic: Edward F. Spence
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