What is rationing system?

The author uses dialogue in this excerpt mainly

How was the appointment of two consuls during the roman republic an example of a democratic principle? one consul represented patricians and one represented plebeians, so that all citizens had representation each consul had control over the same number of military legions, which prevented either one from a forceful takeover. consuls had to agree on all decisions, which prevented any one person from gaining too much power. consuls had to make decisions based on majority rule in the senate. quickly

During the period from 1865 to 1898 how did the political/economic elite contain the demands of farmers and laborers for economic justice