What does this spring do?

[Pinchecharlie]

Seems stupid but iam not totally understanding this set up. 65 column unknown if it's original or not. It's a 2 speed column shift so I assume a powerglide? Anyway like a dumba@# I cut the shaft to retro fit a better intermediate shaft/borgelson jointy set up and when I marked it for surgery forgot about this spring and clamp and NOW I think it may be to freaking short? The column is a pos and needs both bearings but I wasn't planning on buying a aftermarket column. I would if they didn't seem so unreasonably priced but maybe I should? I had planned to take the shaft in to be DD' d on the last inch .
So what exactly does this spring and clamp do?
Do I need it with a different shaft (intermediate)?
Should I blame my stupid wife for cutting the shaft to short?
Does the spring somehow control the slop in the steering wheel?
Does the spring allow for service at the steering gear box?
How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop?
Measure twice cut once?
Thanks charlie