He was first elected to the communal council of Esch-sur-Alzette in 1873, and served for four years before becoming an échevin on 16 January 1877.

[3] Although a liberal, he was a traditionalist, a practising Catholic, and had close ties to the religious establishment in Esch.

During his tenure as mayor, the most important decision was the commune's purchase of the Forest of Esch, and its replacement with new steel mills, in the district of Belval.

[5] Although Metz won re-election in the 1909 communal elections, he decided to resign on 28 November 1909, having served three years as mayor.

[6] Metz lost in his bid to be reelected to the Chamber of Deputies in the 1918 election,[7] and withdrew from public life.