Try this. Go to car-part.com. Search for your Model Year. Look at the other MY's that come up. This will give you an idea of the possible interchange.
The other thing that comes quickly to mind is a manual steering column will have a separate key interlock to prevent accidental key locking. The automatic will not have this separate interlock.
The other difference that comes to mind is the lack of an anti-theft PATS receiver. The 95 will not have this.
It may be possible to swap selected parts from the old to the new. However, I am surprised you are having problems finding the correct steering column. This is usually the kind of part that is easily abtainable via a local salvage yard. Again, try car-part.com