*k The same tendency is faintly observable in some other States; *l but in general the prominent feature of the administration in the United States is its excessive local independence.
[Footnote j: If any one conceives himself to be wronged by the school-commissioners (who are town-officers), he can appeal to the superintendent of the primary schools, whose decision is final .-- Revised Statutes, vol.i.p.

487.
Provisions similar to those above cited are to be met with from time to time in the laws of the State of New York; but in general these attempts at centralization are weak and unproductive.

The great authorities of the State have the right of watching and controlling the subordinate agents, without that of rewarding or punishing them.

The same individual is never empowered to give an order and to punish disobedience; he has therefore the right of commanding, without the means of exacting compliance.

In 1830 the Superintendent of Schools complained in his Annual Report addressed to the legislature that several school-commissioners had neglected, notwithstanding his application, to furnish him with the accounts which were due.