The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1910-09-30
BRAYTON DIES
WITH BOOTS ON
Passes Away as He Declared
He Would Do
AN OLD TYPE or POLITICIAN

"BInd Boss" Welded Powerful In
fuence In Political Affairs of Rhode
IsIand-served credltabIy In Army
and Had Been Postmaster Of Provl-
dence--Admitted to the Bar at Late
Period In Life
Providence. Sept. 25.-General
Charles R. Brayton. known as BOSS"
Brayton, died in the Jane Brown hos
pital. He was 70 years of age and
totally blind. Brayton was taken to
the hospital on Aug. 29 with broken
hip, the result of fall in his Office.
DR.. Budlong declared, however, that
death was due to diabetes, from which
Brayton had suffered for several years.
The Boss" of Rhode Island had
been living for some time with his
wife at the Crown hotel In this city.
He did what he always declared he
would do-died with his boots on. He
had been at work as the power behind
the throne in Rhode Island politics
right up to the time he was taken to
the hospital. t..
Brayton had been totally blind for
half dozen years and had been par
TALLY blind for about fifteen years.
The loss of his eyeslght was caused by
cataracts.
General Brayton was lawyer by
profession. He was born at Warwick,
r. l., on Aug. 16, 1910. He enlisted
as first lieutenant in the Third Rhode
Island volunteers and subsequently
was in the heavy artillery. He was
promoted to captaincy on Nov. 2S,
1862; lieutenant colonel Nov. IT,
1868, and a colonel April 1, 1854. He
was mustered out Of the service on
Oct. 5, 1864. He was breveted a
brigadier general Of the United States
volunteer service on March 10, 1865,
for faithful and meritorious service
during the war.
General Brayton studied law and
was admitted to the bar In 1891. He
became postmaster of Providence,
which position he held from 1874 to
1880. He became a member of the
Republican national committee In
1904. His residence was Warwick, but
ne had been living in Providence for |
some time. His Office was In the
Banigan building, but he spent great
deal of his time at the state house.
Nearly forty years ago he began to
attend national conventions and at
any time he could have been elected
member of the national committee,
but he always preferred to be in the
background, where he was able to
exert the greatest amount of influ-
ence.
After the choice of the delegation to
the national convention in 1896 the
members held a meeting and insisted
that Brayton should be the member
from Rhode Island. He was also
urged to take the place by many
strong and influential friends who
thought 1t would be something in the
way of honor and reward due him for
his loyal services.
Nineteen years ago Brayton was ad-
mitted to the bar as a full-hedged
lawyer. He had been for many years
fully equipped with legal knowledge,
and few, If any, laws or amendments
were passed by the general assembly
that he did not know personally what
the full text and intent were.
General Brayton was large man of
wonderful physique, and noticeable
anywhere he appeared. He was, and
TO a large degree, magnetic and at
tractive. He had never sought an
office, though he had the reputation
of having put many other men into
them.
1t is believed that he was admitted
TO the bar at a later period In life
than any other person in the history
of the state. He was over so at the
time he took his successful examina-
ton.
General Brayton had an excellent
war record, and as a Grand Army man
he was long considered peer among
them. He was also a leading member
of the Masonic fraternity.
He was constantly In attendance at
the legislature, and no single man In
the state exerted so strong an influ
ence there as he at all times. He was
aggressive, fearless and kindly. and
is said to have never broken his word.
For years, although holding no state
position. he occupied an Office in the
capitol at Providence, from which he
directed legislation. He was ordered
IRON the state house time after time,
but went there when he pleased. his
headquarters being in the Office OF the
sheriff
Dron In Natfon's Death Pate