He authored the 1896 Raines Law, which prohibited liquor sales on Sundays, except in hotels, which had the unintended consequence of fostering prostitution.

Admitted to the bar upon graduation, Raines set up a law practice in Geneva, New York.

In addition he was President of the Board of Education for the Canandaigua school district from 1887 until his death.

His primary home, on the corner of Wood and Gorham Streets, was an Octagon house.

His summer home, "Thendara", sat along the eastern shore of Canandaigua Lake at Deep Run Cove and is operated today as a restaurant and inn.