Lower steering column help? Not sure what is needed?

My original '70 Duster column had only the plastic bushing around the shift tube and a foam seal above that. The shaft itself had no lower bearing of any kind. Still doesn't.



(This photo is after I removed the shift lever on the tube - converting to floor shift)



I did the same thing. But am I supposed to remove the tube and put in a bearing? Or just leave it like it is? Which is "correct"?