A lot of people thought taxes would go way up. You get into a hot situtation and that's a time for change. Ironically, the voters who dumped the city manager form also re-elected the incumbent council members to the new aldermanic body. They also chose Hammond over the man who had led the crusade against the city manager form. The city was full of energy, prosperity and confidence.
Government has to conduct business whether it be headed by a city manager or mayor.
The difference is not that great. The same things have to be accomplished. The city manager form of government originated during the Progressive Era, the years from the 1890s to the 1920s. Government was trying to reinvent itself based on sound business principles and modern social engineering. In 1913, a national organization was formed to promote this idea.