He was one of the bailiffs in the courtroom of Judge Theodore Brentano during the high-profile murder trial of Patrick Eugene Prendergast (who assassinated Mayor Carter Harrison III).

In 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt appointed him postmaster of Chicago, a political position at that time (see USPS History).

[6] Busse's mayoral tenure is noted for its extensive corruption and presence of organized crime in the city.

[7] Busse's inaction in the face of growing popular concern led to the formation of several organizations opposed to crime and desirous of cleaning up the city government.

While reform, both political and moral, was beginning to appear Chicago, Busse noted, "They don't need anyone sleuthing around after me.