31mm rim...1.5" tire is 38 mm (25.4 mm/inch). It would probably work. Tires that are too big of a size mismatch to the rim won't work well. You may want a tube sized for a 1.5" tire.
A friend is looking into Serfas City Drifters and Vittoria Randonneur Cross tires for all-around use like you describe.