Past efforts at reform appear to have done little good.

But the idea was rejected, along with any other effort at reform.

Indeed, an attempt at reform had been tried in 1977 and failed.

Yet his efforts at social reform would end very badly.

But what is criticism if not an attempt at reform?

"But they have refused every effort at reform," he said.

Several countries have failed to impress with their efforts at reform.

In other words, despite reforms or attempts at reform some things have not gone well.

So far, they seem to have defeated Congressional efforts at reform.

Attempts at reform came too late; by 1876 the government was bankrupt.