Senator Gruff distrusted the wisdom of binding anybody at that time to a hard and fast declaration whether for silver or gold or both.

He was sure that on soberer thought his friend Senator Coot would see the impropriety of his question.
Senator Coot declined to see the impropriety to which Senator Gruff had adverted.

To commit himself to any gentleman's canvass was to commit himself to that gentleman's opinions.

Those opinions might not be consistent with ones held by his, Senator Coot's, constituents, to whom he must in all things adhere.

He, Senator Coot, was no one to buy pigs in pokes--if Senator Hanway would forgive a homely expression which was not intended as personal to himself.