He was elected to the Federal Council of Switzerland on December 18, 1875 and handed over office on December 31, 1892. He was affiliated to the Free Democratic Party of Switzerland. During his office time he held the following departments:

• Department of Home Affairs (1876 - 1878)
• Department of Trade and Agriculture (1879 - 1880)
• Political Department (1881)
• Department of Trade and Agriculture (1882 - 1886)
• Political Department (1887)
• Department of Foreign Affairs (1888 - 1892)