Couwcil

1. An advisory body selected to assist the governor of a State in his official determinations. King's councils. To assist him in the discharge of his duties, the maintenance of his dignity, and the exertion of his prerogative, the law has assigned the sovereign a diversity of councils with which to advise, to wit: the high court of parliament; the peers of the realm assembled at call; the judges of the courts of law; but, principally, h\B privy eouneil (by way of eminence tlw council), an assembly of the king and such as he wills, in his palace.* A governor's council is still retained in u. few States. « 2. The ordinance-making body in a municipal corporation. Usually in the plural form "councils;" whereof common and select council are the branches. The organization and powers of such bodies are determined by statute." The city council of Boston, for example, is not a "legislature." It has no power to make " laws," but merely to pass ordinances upon such local matters as the legislature may commit to its charge. Neither branch is vested with any judicial functions whatever. Nor are its members chosen with a view to their fitness for the exercise of such functions.' See further CiTIr; Contempt, 2; Ordinance, 1; Teibitnal. COUNSEL; COUNSELLOB. See Attorney, 2. > 3 Bl. Com. 400; 3 Cranch, 73; 2 Wheat. 5; 12 id. 546; SHOW. 29; 3 Pa. 153. SThe«cotland, 118 U. S. 519 (188fi). 'See 2 Daniel, Ch. Pr. 1515-21; Goodyear v. Sawyer, 17 F. E. 6 (I8S.3), cases. •• 1 Bl. Com. 227-32. s See 70 Me. 570.