We must not forget that, since it was on a property basis, it was under the control of the patricians, for the great mass of plebeians were poor.

Still there were many wealthy plebeians, and so far the assembly was a gain for this party.
About this time the Senate, which heretofore had consisted solely of Fathers of the families (_Patres_), admitted into its ranks some of the richest of the landed plebeians, and called them CONSCRIPTI.

(Footnote: This is the origin of the phrase used by speakers addressing the Senate, viz.: "_Patres (et) Consripti_") These, however, could take no part in debates, nor could they hold magistracies.
In the Senate, thus constituted, the nomination of all magistrates made in the Comitia Centuriata was confirmed or rejected.

In this way it controlled the election of the Consuls, whose duties, we must remember, were those of generals and supreme judges, though every Roman citizen had the privilege of appealing from their decision in cases which involved life.
Two subordinate officers, chosen from the patricians, were appointed by the Consuls.

These officers, called QUAESTORES, managed the finances of the state, under the direction of the Senate.
The wars in which the Romans had been engaged, during the century preceding the establishment of the Republic, had impoverished the state and crippled its commerce.