Ashley Bascom Wright

Ashley Bascom Wright (May 25, 1841 – August 14, 1897) was an American politician who served as a Representative from Massachusetts in the United States Congress from 1893 to 1899. A member of the Republican Party, he was active in the legislative process during three terms in office and rose to chair the United States House Committee on Mileage in the Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth Congresses.

Wright’s service in Congress took place during a significant period in American history, as the nation confronted the economic and political challenges of the 1890s, including debates over monetary policy, tariffs, and the role of the federal government in regulating commerce and industry. As a member of the House of Representatives, he participated in the democratic process and represented the interests of his Massachusetts constituents, contributing to deliberations on legislation that reflected both regional concerns and national priorities.

During his tenure, Wright’s responsibilities expanded as he assumed the chairmanship of the House Committee on Mileage, a body charged with overseeing and regulating the reimbursement of travel expenses for members of Congress. His leadership of this committee in the Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth Congresses placed him in a position to influence administrative and procedural aspects of congressional operations at a time when the institution was growing in size and complexity.

Wright continued to serve in Congress until his death on August 14, 1897. Although his congressional service is often formally dated from 1893 to 1899 to reflect the full span of the terms to which he was elected, his career in the House was cut short by his passing before the completion of his final term. His work in Congress, particularly his role as a committee chairman, marked him as a notable Republican legislator from Massachusetts during the closing years of the nineteenth century.