What was a key change brought about by the new constitution formed in 1798?

The key change brought about by the new constitution formed in 1798 was that it limited the legislature's power over public land sales. This was significant because prior to this constitution, there were concerns about the legislature being too powerful and having unchecked authority, especially regarding land dealings. By imposing limitations on how the legislature could manage public land sales, the 1798 constitution aimed to create a more balanced government structure and protect public resources from exploitation. This shift reflected a growing desire for accountability in the management of state assets and an awareness of the need for limitations on legislative authority to prevent potential abuse of power.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe the crucial changes implemented by the 1798 constitution. For instance, the constitution did not significantly increase the governor's power or establish a direct voting process for public laws. Additionally, while county-level amendments may be a topic of discussion in constitutional frameworks, they were not a notable feature of the 1798 constitution's changes. Therefore, the limitation of legislative power over public land sales stands out as the correct and pivotal alteration in governance provided by this constitution.