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of our Presidency [it?] would really help along
our museum project, they voted for him.

We thus sold [?] more than "dirt cheap."
I make the confession for the whole body, for I believe
many others feel it so now, who did not see
it so when the thing was done. Dr. Thomas
and I stood almost alone in open opposition to it.

But our Academy is all right in general
aim and plan and purpose. In this "Professor"
Paige business only have we sinned. So don't
be too hard on us. I wanted to elect Prof.
[Hendricks?] of Iowa City, as our President – but the
man who had made the big promises (though they
were thinner than skimmed milk) carried the day.

If I could see you personally I could explain
matters more fully and satisfactorily.

Yours very truly,
H. A. Reid.