In 318 a law, doubtless tribal, was passed for sending praefecti iure dicundo to Capua;[1861] and similar laws were from time to time enacted for assigning the same kind of officials to other communities of Italy.[1862] These prefects continued to be appointed by the urban praetor till after 124.[1863] Whether the law of 318 was pretorian or tribunician cannot be determined.[1864] Similar in character was the Atilian-Marcian plebiscite for the election of sixteen military tribunes instead of six, 311.[1865] The substitution of election for appointment was in effect the institution of a magistracy—in this case merely an increase in number within a magisterial college which had existed since 362. In the act of 311 the tribes usurped a function which had hitherto belonged to the centuries.[1866] Although the elective military tribunes remained subordinate to the consuls, the change increased their dignity and in some degree their independence, while it tended to impair the efficiency of the service. Naturally the office became a stepping-stone to political honors. The Decian plebiscite of the same year instituted the duumviri navales charged with the function of repairing, equipping, and commanding the fleet.[1867] The two plebiscites of this year have the appearance of a compromise between continental and commercial interests under the influence of Appius Claudius Caecus the censor. Closely related is the article of the Ogulnian plebiscite, 300, which provided for an increase in the number of augurs and pontiffs.[1868] Here, too, belongs the plebiscite of 296 for the appointment of commissioners for conducting colonies.[1869] Henceforth it was the custom of the senate to refer to the people the creation of all extraordinary offices, and their election to the comitia tributa usually under pretorian presidency.[1870] The people made a further advance when they undertook to regulate by law the composition of the senate itself. To the period between the Publilian legislation of 339 and the censorship of Appius Claudius Caecus, 312, belongs the famous Ovinian plebiscite concerning the revision of the senate list.[1871] It transferred the function from the consuls to the censors, and required the latter under oath (iurati; MS. curiati) to enroll all who were worthy among the retired magistrates of every rank, from the curule functionaries down through those of plebeian standing to the quaestors.[1872]