As the condition of the State was formerly different, in like manner, a distinction existed in the order of things. Everything was not submitted to the deliberation of the Emperor, for there were some matters which the Senate was required to consider and dispose of, and these were always decided by it. Thus three Praetors were appointed at Rome for the administration of affairs, and their acts were authorized by law. This practice was not confined to Rome; in other cities the decurions, as they were called, were permitted to elect certain prefects, who, however, were not the same as those who occupy the prefecture at present, but were of higher rank than the latter, and discharged additional duties. Therefore, as matters were regulated at that time in a different way, common usage required the enactment of this law. But now, when everything is committed to the supervision of the Emperor, in order that, with the aid of God and his own wisdom, he may dispose of the questions brought to his attention, and as this law cannot any longer be of advantage to him, We think that it ought to be annulled, as many others already have been. For just as necessity requires laws to be enacted, so, when they are no longer of any use, they should be abolished.