James Alphonsus Hamill

James Alphonsus Hamill (March 30, 1877 – December 15, 1941) was an American attorney and Democratic Party politician. He served as the U.S. representative from New Jersey's 10th congressional district from 1907 to 1913 and 12th district from 1913 to 1921.

At the Paris Peace conference of 1919 he served as counsel to the unrecognized Ukrainian delegation.

Early life and education Hamill was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. He attended Saint Peter's College receiving his Bachelor's degree in 1897, and graduated from New York Law School in 1899; He was admitted to the bar of the State of New Jersey in 1900. Hamill served for four years in the New Jersey General Assembly (1902-1905), two of them as Minority Leader.

Political career At the Paris Peace Conference of 1919, Hamill served as counsel to the unrecognized Ukrainian Delegation. He was considered one of the best linguists in Congress, having at his command Greek, Latin, Russian, German and French and was decorated as a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor for his work in French literature. Hamill represented Mayor Frank Hague in the free speech case which was instituted in July 1938 by the C.I.O. and the American Civil Liberties Union. He also led Jersey City's fight to recover $14,000,000 in taxes from the railroads.