The enactment of a general law permitting the allotment . . to such indians, at least, as desire it, of a reasonable quantity of land secured to them by patent, and for their own protection made inalienable for twenty or twenty-five years, is demanded for their present welfare and their permanent advancement. in return for such considerate action on the part of the government, there is a reason to believe that the indians in large numbers would be persuaded to sever their tribal relations and to engage at once in agricultural pursuits. . by no greater inducement than the assurance of permanent title to the soil can they be led to engage in the occupation of tilling it. —president chester a. arthur, first annual message, 1881 the idea promoted by president arthur in this annual message led directly to the passage of the immigration act of 1882. the passage of the dawes severalty act of 1887. the ratification of the sixteenth amendment. the establishment of the bureau of land management. nextreset © 2019 edmentum. all rights reserved. 2 reader tools info grade assessment save and exit