 In 1869 he went to England, and in 1870 to Ireland, but a little later he resigned his commission to return to Australia.In 1875 after being defeated for Gumeracha, Ross entered the House of Assembly for Wallaroo and from June 1876 to October 1877 was Treasurer of South Australia in the Colton ministry.In 1881-87 he was Speaker of the South Australian House of Assembly.