[2] Sanborn worked for the U. S. Postal Service from 1888 until 1910, when he joined Pierce Brothers undertakers as bookkeeper, credit manager and part owner.

During Sanborn's first six terms, his chief accomplishment was the financing and building of six viaducts for traffic to cross the railroads and the Los Angeles River without the need to stop for trains.

He negotiated a funding plan with Los Angeles County and the railroad companies, who gained some new right-of-ways, and a $2 million bond issue was approved by voters in 1923.

In this capacity he headed the Los Angeles welcoming party for Nobuhito, Prince Takamatsu of Japan, and his new wife, Lady Kikuko Tokugawa.

Also during Sanborn's time as acting mayor, the Supreme Court gave authority to the State Railroad Commission to require the three railroads serving Los Angeles to collectively build one Union Station, which greatly improved traffic by eliminating twenty grade crossings and all train traffic from Alameda Street.

Sanborn was not firmly in either camp, but he did vote to confirm the mayor's appointments to the Board of Water and Power, so he was targeted by the opposition.

The campaign against Sanborn and others was rife with dirty tactics, partly stemming from the opposition of Police Chief James Davis.

[2] In August 1937 Councilman Howard E. Dorsey died in an automobile accident, and the council appointed Sanborn to replace him in the Ninth District.