History in the United States The concept of the council–manager form of government was a product of a confluence of the prevailing modes of thought during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.Stillman, Richard J. (1974). The Rise of the City Manager: A Public Professional in Local Government. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press. Probably the foremost influence was the Progressive Movement; following along the thought lines of the movement, the municipal reformers of that time wanted to rid municipalities of the pervasive "political machine" form of government and the abuses of the spoils system. The thought was to have a politically impartial administrator or manager to carry out the administrative function.
History in the United States The concept of the council–manager form of government was a product of a confluence of the prevailing modes of thought during the late 19th and early 20th centuriesStillman, Richard J. (1974). The Rise of the City Manager: A Public Professional in Local Government. Albuquerque University of New Mexico Press. Probably the foremost influence was the Progressive Movement; f.ollowing along the thought lines of the movement, the municipal reformers of that time wanted to rid municipalities of the pervasive "politi:cal machine" form of government and the abuses of the spoils system. The thought was to have a politically impartial administrator or manager to carry ou.t the administrative function