New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-20
OBITUARY..
JOSEPH GILLIS BIGGAR


London. Feb. 10.-Joseph ellis Bggar the well
known Home Ruler and member OF the House OF Com
mons for the west division of the County Cavan died
70 day at Chaplain, a suburb OF London Mr.. Biggars
death was caused by heart disease lie was present
in the Horse of Commons last evening and was one
Of the telers in the division on Mr. ParnelPs amend
ment to the address in reply to the queens speech
asking for the repeal OF the Coercion Act.
The Parnell party proposes TO give public funeral
in Dublin to the late MIR. BiggaT and are IN comnu
cation with his family on the subject.
Mr. Bccar, one OF the ablcst and most conspicuous
of the leaders Of the present Irish party IN INC ouSc
OF Commons was born August 10, le2S' anu al Vlo
time Of his death had just completed MS sNVccn'"
year OF Parliamentary life lie received MS euu0''o"
at Belfast Academy, and engaged in business as
provision merchant in the same city. For many
years previous to entering Parliament he was well
known in the local politics Of Belfast as an advanced
Radical, and took part in municipal ahalrs' Delns
elected town councillor. His first attempt 10 ehVi
the wider arena OF Parliamentary life was maze III
1872, when he contested Londonderry unsuccessiuly
Two years later lie more fortunate. being elecpu
for County Cavan on the Home Rule platform in tho
general election Of 1874. Having obtained MS seat
he very shortly afterward began to put in execution
his plan for forcing the Irish question upon English
attention by obsructng the proceedings OF Parliament
In fact he NAV be described as having been the
inventor OF the obstructive policy. The latter gave
rise to varied feelings Of amazcmcnt rldicule and in
dignaton the part Of the British members and the
public generally but all the dcnunciation and opprO-
brium lavished on "JOe" Biggar had no more effect
on the COOL audacous nnOvator than " castor lie onto
craven image" 70 of Josh Bilngss expressive
SMILES. Probably he rather enjoyed II than otherwise
though he never missed chance of reallating IN the
sharp sarcastic fashion which made members rather
shv Of crossing swords with him. His familiarity
with parliamentary rules and usages gave MN de
cded advantage in carrying on the game OF Obstruction
and ne soon found I'm Mr. Parnell an able seconder.
Mr. Blsrar constituted himse, the mentor Of PaFnell
during the latter's early Parliamentary career.
and when his whom pupil was elected
to the leadership Of the party became MS
most trusted and loyal rghthand man
When the Land League was organized Mr.. Biggar be-
came one OF its prominent supporters, It's programme
being quite I'm accord with his Radical views ITO
contributed literally to support the agitation before II
became self sustaining lie was popular with inc
English Radical clement whose opinion on general
questions OF government and social organization TIC
largely shared Rather hcsltating in his delivery, he
nevertheless had the faculty of commanding alehlo"
by the substance Of his speeches and the point and apt
ness which characterized his uttcrances lie was ever
ready 20 speak, and was 50 well vcTsed upon current
tonic. That he could discourse for hours upon suDlec'
without more rccration than necessary TO drive
home the pous he dos red 10 make lie delighted III
verbal conflict and made free use OF ms powers
If rcpartec and sarcasm and though he seldom aughe
the humorous expression which his countehalce a.
sumcd often deprived tho contest Oh much oi 'Hp
accritv which his rasping satro observations would
otherwise provoke Born Of an old Protestant family
he some years AGO Joined the Roman Catholic CIircn:
n, ,,ag. orul apIcarauCc Mr.. Blc-ai Po>'c'''u ~
,,.,i,cod AN Individuality as I'm mental character
'suc, lie was ltte oyer I'VE iect ol IN i' END
a., e,,, feotufes betokeuing the aud1cit', rhclEf'
.. and rcchlc,sncss of tie man Not~l,.s' t ALA
las ,le.,rm,ty De wa, remarkably srou- en-
.,.,.. and rycn greatly TO walking as an eAtrCl'c'
Like Parnell he total ahStaincr' lie was w
t.lr - -'otoh or.ciu but his character ana TEN
rrr,ucnt we're thoroughly Irish. Nr. Biggar was one
If Nm. ,ycoltie,t men connected with the risl noyg
mont and Gid not spare bis mean, IN prOuiOuh5 III,
','C ~ IA Nr bigger WAS sued for breach OF
,r.,io ~ marriage by Miss Fanny Hyland' ana 5he
a.. awarded - 600.