HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
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INGLIS, Samuel M., Superintendent of Public Instruction, born at Marietta, Pa., August 15, 1838; received his early education in Ohio and, in 1856, came to Illinois, graduating with first honors from the Mendota Collegiate Institute in 1861. The following year he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fourth Illinois Infantry, but, having been discharged for disability, his place was filled by a brother, who was killed at Knoxville, Tenn. In 1865 he took charge of an Academy at Hillsboro, meanwhile studying law with the late Judge E. Y. Rice; in 1868 he assumed the superintendency of the public schools at Greenville, Bond County, remaining until 1883, when he became Professor of Mathematics in the Southern Normal University at Carbondale, being transferred, three years later, to the chair of Literature, Rhetoric and Elocution. In 1894 he was nominated as the Republican candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction, receiving a plurality at the November election of 123,593 votes over his Democratic opponent. Died, suddenly, at Kenosha, Wis., June 1, 1898.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT POLICY, a name given to a scheme or plan of internal improvement adopted by the Tenth General Assembly (1837), in compliance with a general wish of the people voiced at many public gatherings. It contemplated the construction of an extensive system of public works, chiefly in lines of railroad which were not demanded by the commerce or business of the State at the time, but which, it was believed, would induce immigration and materially aid in the development of the State's latent resources. The plan adopted provided for the construction of such works by the State, and contemplated State ownership and management of all the lines of traffic thus constructed. The bill passed the Legislature in February, 1837, but was disapproved by the Executive and the Council of Revision, on the ground that such enterprises might be more successfully undertaken and conducted by individuals or private corporations. It was, however, subsequently passed over the veto and became a law, the disastrous effects of whose enactment were felt for many years. The total amount appropriated by the act was $10,200,000, of which $400,000 was devoted to the improvement of waterways; $250,-000 to the improvement of the "Great Western Mail Route"; $9,350,000 to the construction of railroads, and $200,000 was given outright to counties not favored by the location of railroads or other improvements within their borders. In addition, the sale of $1,000,000 worth of canal
lands and the issuance of $500
