that the consulship be open to the plebeians.

A compromise, however, was made, and it was agreed to suspend for a time the office of Consul, and to elect annually six MILITARY TRIBUNES in the Comitia Centuriata, the office being open to all citizens.

The people voted every year whether they should have consuls or military tribunes, and this custom continued for nearly a half-century.

The patricians, however, were so influential, that for a long time no plebeian was elected.
As an offset to these gains of the plebeians, the patricians in 435 obtained two new officers, called CENSORS, elected from their own ranks every five years (_lustrum_) to hold office for eighteen months.
The duties of the Censors were:-- I.To see that the citizens of every class were properly registered.
II.

To punish immorality in the Senate by the removal of any members who were guilty of offences against public morals.
III.