As far as can be ascertained, the following list of cases is exhaustive of all reform attempts that reached the House floor between 1865 and 1921 (indeed, several never made it as far as the floor). The cases were derived by thoroughly examining the subject and bill indexes of the House Journal, Congressional Globe, and Congressional Record for each Congress in the time period, as well as the New York Times Index for each year and the secondary congressional historical literature.

38th Congress, 1863–65

House Appropriations Committee formed.

43rd Congress, 1873–75

William Wheeler attempts to bring the Army Asylum on-budget (unsuccessful).

44th Congress, 1875–77

First passage of the Holman Rule.

45th Congress, 1877–79

Commerce Committee successfully asserts dominance over rivers and harbors appropriations for the first time.

Railways and Canals Committee challenges the right of the Commerce Committee to report rivers and harbors appropriations.

46th Congress, 1879–1881

Rules Committee proposes two rules: requiring three-fourths majority to pass spending bills under a suspension of the rules and granting the HAC jurisdiction over rivers and harbors appropriations (both unsuccessful).

Commerce Committee's exclusive jurisdiction over rivers and harbors legislation is written into the House rules.

Agriculture Committee wrests control of Agriculture Department appropriation from the HAC.

Decentralization of a number of appropriations items is attempted – public buildings, military affairs, patent office, Mississippi River (all unsuccessful).

Railways and Canals Committee challenges Commerce Committee for control over the rivers and harbors appropriations bill (unsuccessful).