We confess mixed feelings about a proposal to permit limited sales of alcohol at the state Capitol.
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon on Thursday vetoed legislation authorizing the state to contract with vendors to provide alcohol at specified events celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Capitol.
Philosophically, we agree with the governor's misgivings about serving alcohol in a building that attracts Missouri families and busloads of visiting students.
In his veto message, Nixon wrote: "The Capitol is and should remain a place that thousands of children and their families feel comfortable visiting every year. (They) come to the Capitol to learn more about this historic symbol of our state, (not) to see the sale of liquor by the drink."
For good or ill, however, as a practical matter, alcohol consumption traditionally has been associated with social gatherings, including sporting events, community picnics and, more recently, festival districts.
As envisioned by legislative supporters, the flow of alcohol would be channeled more toward sophisticated, black-tie galas than to Rotunda keggers. In addition, proceeds from alcohol sales would finance the work of the Capitol Commission, an 11-member group involved in preserving and enhancing art, decoration and the overall appearance of the Capitol.
Legislation to permit the limited alcohol sales was approved 26-4 in the Senate and 151-1 in the House.
Our nation's experiment with Prohibition demonstrated that the all-or-nothing approach to alcohol consumption doesn't work.
In various segments of society - state and local governments, churches, colleges and universities, etc. - officials must grapple with and determine boundaries for responsible alcohol consumption. And those boundaries often must delineate the differences between what is permissible for adults, in contrast to what is prohibited for minors.
We believe lawmakers' intent, and the legislation they crafted, is targeted, limited and responsible.
The legislation doesn't mandate - it only allows - serving alcohol at Capitol events.
If guests cannot act responsibly, we would expect the host - responsible state officials - to revoke serving alcohol in the future.