Charles Ray Brayton was an American prominent Rhode Island Republican politician. He controlled state politics and political patronage with businessman Marsden J. Perry and Senator Nelson W. Aldrich.
Background
Charles Ray Brayton was born on August 16, 1840 at Apponaug, a part of the town of Warwick, Rhode Island. He was the son of William Daniel and Anna Ward (Clarke) Brayton. His father was a Republican representative in Congress from 1857 to 1861, and subsequently (1862 - 71) collector of internal revenue for Rhode Island.
Education
Charles entered Brown University in 1859, but left in 1861.
Career
After Brazer left the Brown University in 1861, Brayton organized a volunteer company that later merged in the 3rd Rhode Island Volunteers. Enlisting August 27 as a first lieutenant, he became captain November 28, 1862, lieutenant-colonel November 17, 1863, and colonel April 1, 1864.
On March 13, 1865, he was made a brigadier-general of volunteers by brevet "for faithful and meritorious services. " On March 7, 1867, he was made a captain in the 17th United States Infantry, but resigned on July 6.
From 1870 to 1874 he held the office of United States pension agent for Rhode Island; then, until 1880, he was postmaster at Providence.
In 1886 he became chief of the state police under a state prohibitory law of that year, but before long resigned and aided in the repeal of the law. In 1891, at the age of fifty-one, he was admitted to the bar.
His career as a manipulator of politics began soon after the Civil War, when he allied himself with Henry B. Anthony, United States senator from Rhode Island from 1859 until his death in 1884. Upon Anthony's death Brayton transferred his political allegiance to Senator Nelson W. Aldrich.
The precise nature of his relations with Anthony and Aldrich is obscure, but with their cooperation and in their interest he presently became, and for more than thirty years remained, the unquestioned boss of the Republican party in the state.
As most of the towns are small, it was possible for the representatives of less than one-tenth of the population of the state to control legislation. It was an open secret that under Brayton's administration votes were regularly bought, while he himself frankly admitted the receipt of annual retainers from railway and other corporations.
In 1900 he became blind, but his political activities continued. The first serious attack upon his power was made in 1902-03, when a state Lincoln party organization attempted unsuccessfully to obtain a constitutional convention.
The election of a Democratic governor, James H. Higgins, in 1906, was followed by a demand by the Governor for the ousting of Brayton from his headquarters in the sheriff's office at the state capitol, and although the demand was refused, he presently withdrew. In 1896, at the earnest insistence of his supporters, he consented to become a member of the Republican national committee.
He died suddenly at Providence as a result of an accident.
Achievements
Politics
Brayton for more than thirty years remained the unquestioned boss of the Republican party in the state. His task was facilitated by the lack of a veto power in the governor, and by the provision of the state constitution which gives to each town or city one senator and at least one representative in the General Assembly.
Connections
Charles Ray Brayton was married, March 13, 1865, to Antoinette Percival Belden.