Complex sentence: Chandlers was an obvious choice as president since had been instrumental leadership in establishing the society, however, he felt that the New York University Professor John William Draper had the reputation as a scientist to lead a national organization.
Split into simpler sentences: Chandlers was an obvious choice as president since he had provided instrumental leadership in establishing the society. However, he felt that the New York University Professor John William Draper had the reputation as a scientist to lead a national organization.