In the samnite era of playing, it is the only power that has professional generals and only pro not instinctive.

I just wondered why as reading on the samnite wars it seems to me the generals were elected as in other powers around them

May I suggest the following as possible:

Elected generals do not preclude Professional status - obvious other examples spring to mind.

The Samnites appear to have been pretty well organised and efficient within their context. Gets a good feel for them.

It can be good to accentuate differences in lists. This can be arbitrary.