M. William Bray
Encyclopedia
M. William Bray was an American
lawyer and politician
. He was Lieutenant Governor of New York
from 1933 to 1938.
in 1911, and from Albany Law School
in 1914. He commenced practice in Utica, New York
.
In 1924, he became Chairman of the Oneida County
Democratic Committee, and was Chairman of the New York State Democratic Committee
from 1928 to 1930. He was a delegate to the 1928
, 1932
, 1940
and 1948 Democratic National Convention
s.
In 1932, Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt
, former Governor Al Smith
and Party State Chairman James A. Farley forced the nomination of Herbert H. Lehman
for governor, over the opposition of Tammany Hall
and its allies. As a peace offering, Farley permitted Tammany to choose the candidate for lieutenant governor, and Bray was nominated. Lehman and Bray were renominated and reelected in 1934 and in 1936. In 1938, Bray was dumped from the ticket in favor of Lehman's counsel Charles Poletti
.
Before Governor Lehman left office in 1942, he appointed Bray to the New York Public Service Commission
. In later years, Bray served as a Referee in Bankruptcy
and, in 1950, as President of the New York State Bar Association.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
lawyer and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. He was Lieutenant Governor of New York
Lieutenant Governor of New York
The Lieutenant Governor of New York is a constitutional office in the executive branch of the government of New York State. It is the second highest ranking official in state government. The lieutenant governor is elected on a ticket with the governor for a four year term...
from 1933 to 1938.
Life
He was the son of John Bray and Hannah Bray. He graduated from Union CollegeUnion College
Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
in 1911, and from Albany Law School
Albany Law School
Albany Law School is an ABA accredited law school based in Albany, New York. It was founded in 1851 by Amos Dean , Amasa Parker, Ira Harris and others....
in 1914. He commenced practice in Utica, New York
Utica, New York
Utica is a city in and the county seat of Oneida County, New York, United States. The population was 62,235 at the 2010 census, an increase of 2.6% from the 2000 census....
.
In 1924, he became Chairman of the Oneida County
Oneida County, New York
Oneida County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 234,878. The county seat is Utica. The name is in honor of the Oneida, an Iroquoian tribe that formerly occupied the region....
Democratic Committee, and was Chairman of the New York State Democratic Committee
New York State Democratic Committee
The New York State Democratic Committee runs the local branch of the United States Democratic Party in the state of New York. Its headquarters are in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, and it has an office in Albany.-List of chairpersons:...
from 1928 to 1930. He was a delegate to the 1928
1928 Democratic National Convention
The 1928 Democratic National Convention was held at Sam Houston Hall in Houston, Texas from June 26 – June 28, 1928. The convention resulted in the nomination of Governor Alfred E. Smith of New York for President and Senator Joseph T. Robinson of Arkansas for Vice-President.The convention was...
, 1932
1932 Democratic National Convention
The 1932 Democratic National Convention was held in Chicago, Illinois from June 27 - July 2, 1932. The convention resulted in the nomination of Governor Franklin Roosevelt of New York for President and Speaker of the House John Nance Garner of Texas for Vice-President...
, 1940
1940 Democratic National Convention
The 1940 Democratic National Convention was held at the Chicago Stadium in Chicago, Illinois from July 15–18, 1940. The convention resulted in the re-nomination of President Franklin Roosevelt as the Democratic Party candidate for an unprecedented third term. Secretary of Agriculture Henry A...
and 1948 Democratic National Convention
1948 Democratic National Convention
The 1948 Democratic National Convention was held at Convention Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from July 12 to July 14, and resulted in the nominations of incumbent Harry S Truman for President and U.S. Senator Alben W...
s.
In 1932, Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
, former Governor Al Smith
Al Smith
Alfred Emanuel Smith. , known in private and public life as Al Smith, was an American statesman who was elected the 42nd Governor of New York three times, and was the Democratic U.S. presidential candidate in 1928...
and Party State Chairman James A. Farley forced the nomination of Herbert H. Lehman
Herbert H. Lehman
Herbert Henry Lehman was a Democratic Party politician from New York. He was the 45th Governor of New York from 1933 to 1942, and represented New York in the United States Senate from 1950 to 1957.-Lehman Brothers:...
for governor, over the opposition of Tammany Hall
Tammany Hall
Tammany Hall, also known as the Society of St. Tammany, the Sons of St. Tammany, or the Columbian Order, was a New York political organization founded in 1786 and incorporated on May 12, 1789 as the Tammany Society...
and its allies. As a peace offering, Farley permitted Tammany to choose the candidate for lieutenant governor, and Bray was nominated. Lehman and Bray were renominated and reelected in 1934 and in 1936. In 1938, Bray was dumped from the ticket in favor of Lehman's counsel Charles Poletti
Charles Poletti
Charles Poletti was an American lawyer and politician. He was the 46th Governor of New York in 1942, and was the first Italian-American governor in the United States.-Early life and education:...
.
Before Governor Lehman left office in 1942, he appointed Bray to the New York Public Service Commission
New York Public Service Commission
The New York Public Service Commission is a government agency that regulates the various utilities of the state of New York. The commission also oversees the cable industry.The commission consists of up to five members, led by a commissioner...
. In later years, Bray served as a Referee in Bankruptcy
Referee in Bankruptcy
A Referee in Bankruptcy or Bankruptcy Referee is a federal official with quasi-judicial powers, appointed by a United States district court to administer bankruptcy proceedings...
and, in 1950, as President of the New York State Bar Association.
1932 New York State Democratic Ticket
- Governor: Herbert H. LehmanHerbert H. LehmanHerbert Henry Lehman was a Democratic Party politician from New York. He was the 45th Governor of New York from 1933 to 1942, and represented New York in the United States Senate from 1950 to 1957.-Lehman Brothers:...
- Lieutenant Governor: M. William Bray
- Comptroller: Morris S. TremaineMorris S. TremaineMorris Sawyer Tremaine was an American businessman and politician.-Life:Tremain was born in Fort Dodge, Kansas. He was the son of Dr. William Scott Tremaine, an army surgeon from New York stationed at Fort Dodge, who was among the founders of the Town of Dodge City, Kansas in 1872...
- Attorney General: John J. Bennett, Jr.John J. Bennett, Jr.John James Bennett was an American Lawyer and politician.- Life :...
- U.S. Senate: Robert F. WagnerRobert F. WagnerRobert Ferdinand Wagner I was an American politician. He was a Democratic U.S. Senator from New York from 1927 to 1949.-Origin and early life:...
1934 New York State Democratic Ticket
- Governor: Herbert H. LehmanHerbert H. LehmanHerbert Henry Lehman was a Democratic Party politician from New York. He was the 45th Governor of New York from 1933 to 1942, and represented New York in the United States Senate from 1950 to 1957.-Lehman Brothers:...
- Lieutenant Governor: M. William Bray
- Comptroller: Morris S. TremaineMorris S. TremaineMorris Sawyer Tremaine was an American businessman and politician.-Life:Tremain was born in Fort Dodge, Kansas. He was the son of Dr. William Scott Tremaine, an army surgeon from New York stationed at Fort Dodge, who was among the founders of the Town of Dodge City, Kansas in 1872...
- Attorney General: John J. Bennett, Jr.John J. Bennett, Jr.John James Bennett was an American Lawyer and politician.- Life :...
- U.S. Senate: Royal S. CopelandRoyal S. CopelandRoyal Samuel Copeland was an American academic, homeopathic physician, and politician who held elected offices in both Michigan and New York . He represented New York in the United States Senate from 1923 until 1938.-Early life and medical career:Born in Dexter, Michigan to parents Roscoe P....
1936 New York State Democratic Ticket
- Governor: Herbert H. LehmanHerbert H. LehmanHerbert Henry Lehman was a Democratic Party politician from New York. He was the 45th Governor of New York from 1933 to 1942, and represented New York in the United States Senate from 1950 to 1957.-Lehman Brothers:...
- Lieutenant Governor: M. William Bray
- Comptroller: Morris S. TremaineMorris S. TremaineMorris Sawyer Tremaine was an American businessman and politician.-Life:Tremain was born in Fort Dodge, Kansas. He was the son of Dr. William Scott Tremaine, an army surgeon from New York stationed at Fort Dodge, who was among the founders of the Town of Dodge City, Kansas in 1872...
- Attorney General: John J. Bennett, Jr.John J. Bennett, Jr.John James Bennett was an American Lawyer and politician.- Life :...
Sources
- http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/bray.html Political Graveyard
- M. William Bray Is Dead Upstate Obit in New York Times, Jan. 18, 1961, p. 33.